Mum joins with charity to spread drug message
Awareness push after daughter’s death at festival
A MUM whose daughter died after taking drugs at a festival has joined forces with a youth support charity to spread awareness on the harm of drugs.
Janine Milbur n, from Havant, has been taking to the streets i n Leigh Park with Motiv8 this summer to talk to young people about the dangers of drugs and ensure they know where they can go to the charity’s base on Park Parade for support and advice for any reason.
Janine’s 18-year-old daughter Georgia Jones died after taking pills at Mutiny Festival in Cosham.
Father-of-one Tommy Cowan, 20, also died at the festival in 2018 after taking drugs.
The 42-year-old launched her campaign ‘Georgia Jones Don't Go With The Flo’ to get youngsters talking about drugs, har m reduction and peer pressure and teamed up with Portsmouth City Council and One Choice in February this year to launch a 12-session education programme in schools.
Janine said: ‘I haven’t been able to go into schools because of Covid so t he team at Motiv8 and I have been going out in Leigh Park to talk to young people and check if they are okay and let them know about Motiv8 and they can get advice whether it be about drugs or abuse or even friendships and family life.
‘I think the pandemic has really affected young people, and perhaps more than they realise, because they haven’t had that school routine for six months and have maybe been doing things they shouldn’t or in places they shouldn’t be.’
In t he next f ew weeks Janine and the Motiv8 support workers will be at a number of school gates to talk to pupils as they leave for the day.
Janine said: ‘ We have arranged with a few schools to be there at kick-out time so pupils can come and chat to us if t hey need to and we can provide some drug education as well.
‘I am ready to go back into school as soon as they are happy to have me.’
Motiv8 are currently seeking to hire a full-time youth worker position based at their Havant offices.
For more infor mation visit motiv8south.org.uk