MORE than 100 people attended the first stakeholders event held by the Isle of Wight Drug Action Team at Ryde Theatre.

The aim of the one-day workshop was to involve people from different agencies in developing services to help educate, treat and care for those with substance misuse problems.

People had the opportunity to listen to speakers from the Home Office, prison service, treatment services and education experts as well as the police.

During the course of the event, the Isle of Wight was shown the advance of government guidance to have a drugs policy in every primary and secondary school by March 2004.

Dr Howick, healthy schools co-ordinator, revealed the process had already begun in Island schools to develop such policies.

The government's new drugs strategy was also presented. This strategy includes more focus on Class A drugs and tackling the supply chain.

Treatment services for drug users will be expanded and there will be more use of criminal justice methods to develop treatment programmes.

A video production made by people who have experienced problems with substance misuse was shown, which gave a realistic insight into the drugs culture on the Island.

In the afternoon, Vitae Nova, a drama group for recovering addicts, gave a powerful performance on the dangers of drug misuse.