THE PROBLEM of homelessness among young people is a national disgrace. In fact, the only light in the gloom cast by a damning report which reveals over 300,000 youngsters in need of housing is that Bolton has a highly successful project in BYPASS.

The Bolton Young People's Advice and Support Service in Newport Street has been singled out as a shining example for its "successful and innovative ways of providing support for young people."

The report, commissioned by 10 concerned charities, reveals a far worse situation than was suspected, and as the problem increases daily, small wonder that more and more young people are turning to drugs and alcohol and are drawn into prostitution.

In Bolton, the local advice and drop-in centre is not only a credit to the staff there, but to the young people themselves who add their practical efforts in helping to run it. Funding currently comes from a variety of bodies including Bolton Social Services and Housing Department.

The irony is that this excellent project, leading the way in showing the rest of the country how to provide aid and show a good return on taxpayer's money at the same time, is itself under threat. It would be a sad day indeed if BYPASS were to find itself homeless.

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