CONGLETON parents are being targeted in the first drugs awareness initiative of its kind in Cheshire.

Almost 10,000 drugs information guides have been produced by Congleton Rotary Club to help make parents aware of the dangers.

The pocket-sized cards contain a wealth of facts on illegal drugs, equipment used in taking them and physical symptoms they produce.

Thousands have been sent to high school parents after the initiative received the backing of the town's three secondary schools.

The club is also to approach primary schools in the new term to see if they are interested in the campaign.

The leaflets are due to be available from all Congleton pharmacies, and can also be obtained from the town's information centre.

"I got the idea from a card produced by a rotary club in Devon,'' said club vice-president Ken Shuttleworth.

"I thought it was a good idea, and the aim is to educate parents, many of whom are ignorant about drugs

"It's the first initiative of its kind in Cheshire, and if it helps save one life it will have been worthwhile.''

The club produced the cards with the support of the police, Alcoholics Anonymous, the Samaritans and Crimestoppers.

The cards were sponsored by Smurfit Cartons, G Dale Cutting Forms and Em Media.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.