VOLUNTEERS who help young and homeless drug users have received a £26,000 cash boost from the government.

TABS, which started life as the Tyldesley and Atherton Befriending Society, was awarded the money just a week after the group relaunched itself as a borough wide organisation.

Volunteers offer support to drug users and their loved ones who fail to use the mainstream drug services. The award will allow the group, which offers its help free of charge, to advertise and promote its services more widely.

Susan Wallwork, TABS secretary, said: "This is great news. It will allow us to produce some proper material that will help us to raise the profile of TABS and let more of the people who need our services know that we are here. At the same time it will also assist us in finding more volunteers.

"The people who consult TABS including experimental, recreational and dependent drug users, their families, partners and friends. We felt there seemed to be nothing on offer for the forgotten families and friends struggling to cope with someone they love using drugs."

The award is another piece of good news for TABS. Earlier in the week Brookside star Dean Sullivan, who plays reformed addict Jimmy Corkhill, agreed to be its patron.

Anyone with a drug related problem is invited to ring TABS at John Tiernan House in Platt Bridge on 01942 700800. Volunteers staff the phones on Monday evenings from 6pm, but at all other times there is a 24-hour answering service and same day response.

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