A POLICE solicitor whose son died of an overdose today said she was 'delighted' with news the Government is to spend £60,000 in the war against drugs.

Lancashire is to get the cash to pay for its Life Education Centre project, which involves a mobile classroom visiting schools to teach youngsters about the dangers of drugs.

Niamh Noone-Astles, of Langho, has been heavily involved with Life Education Trust since the devastating death of her 16-year-old son Gareth, from the heroin substitute methadone.

The inquest into his death heard he had taken just enough of the drug to kill a naive user. Mrs Noone-Astles, who works at Lancashire Constabulary's HQ in Hutton, said today: "This is absolutely wonderful news. I couldn't be more delighted.

"The Life Education Centre teaches children about a wide range of things from smoking to heroin.

"It tells them honestly about the effects drugs can have in a very informative way.

"Gareth was naive about methadone. After his death the whole family has continually asked itself 'could we have done anything.'

"Schemes like this can only make a big difference.

"Gareth didn't know a thing about methadone but if he had, he may still be here today."

The project aims to educate children in effective drug prevention before adolescence and long before attitudes are formed.

Programmes, using hi-tech equipment, underline the positive aspects of being alive.

Lancashire Drugs Action Team was one of 82 projects to receive a slice of £1.8 million from the Government's Drugs Challenge Fund.

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