A DRUG scheme originally piloted in the south west is to be expanded to the rest of England.

The scheme will see £1 million handed out over the next two years to help people confront drugs issues in their local community.

The national launch today follows the success of the original south west pilot.

Julie Franklin, who runs the drug users' support group Reach Out, said she applied for a DrugScope award last year, but was unsuccessful because the project was in its infancy and didn't meet the funding criteria.

She said she hoped the group would be re-applying this year.

"Obviously I think the awards are a very good idea, allowing local people to tackle the drug problems in their own community.

"We are certainly considering applying for an award again this year."

The DrugScope Millennium Awards Scheme, run by DrugScope the UK's leading drugs charity, aims to empower individuals to make a real difference.

Grants of between £1,000 and £3,500 are being allocated to individual award winners to fund practical schemes which address any aspect of drug use or misuse. These could include developing drug prevention initiatives and establishing community support groups.

Five hundred awards will be made over the three years of the project, which is supported by the Mentor Foundation (UK) and the Home Office Drugs Prevention Advisory Service (DPAS).

DrugScope will collaborate with local networks that work with relevant groups in order to encourage people to apply for the scheme.

The charity is hoping for applications from young people, black and minority ethnic groups, ex-offenders, current or ex-drug users and other residents wanting to find solutions to drug use in their neighbourhood.

Roger Howard, DrugScope chief executive, said: "The photos earlier this month of Rachel Whitear, a young woman who died from a heroin overdose upset us all. These awards give everyone who was shocked by the photographs of Rachel the opportunity to do something positive to ensure drug use doesn't have a similar impact on their community in the future.

"We are very pleased to be running this Millennium Commission Awards scheme. Having seen the success of the projects already carried out in the pilot scheme, I know how they can empower individual Award winners to realise their own potential, as well as helping them make a difference to the community in which they live."

Eric Carlin, chief executive of the Mentor Foundation UK said: "We are delighted to continue to support this important initiative.

"Through this project, local people can begin to do something to prevent the harm which drug and alcohol misuse can cause to children and young people as well as their families and friends. This is a good news drugs story."

Groups or individuals wishing to apply should write to Nicci Clarke at DrugScope Millennium Awards, 32-36 Loman Street, London SE1 0EE, (0207) 928 1211, fax (0207) 928 1771 or email nicolac@drugscope.org.uk