Two Teesside youngsters have helped create a national drugs strategy for young people.

Samantha Watson and James Hargreaves attended a residential event in London to contribute to the pack called Be Aware.

They were chosen because of their work with the Make a Change team (MAC) in Middlesbrough and were supported by MAC resource worker, Bill Tate.

Miss Watson said: "It was great to be part of this project and for young people's feelings to be considered, when writing information for them."

The pack was launched at an event in London, which Miss Watson and Mr Tate attended, together with Paul Regan, who also attends MAC.

The project aims to engage young people with concerns about alcohol and other drug use and raise awareness of their rights to effective education, treatment and support and to take part in the planning, development and delivery of these interventions.

Mr Tate said: "It is really important for young people to be involved in projects like Be Aware.

"We learn so much from listening and involving young people in projects like this."

Make a Change is a young people's community drugs team and is a joint partnership between Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust, Middlesbrough Council and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.