A GROUP of Darlington youngsters are preparing to deliver a hard-hitting message to school pupils on drugs, alcohol, sex and relationships.

PS2K (Peer Support 2000), a Darlington peer education group, is giving a series of performances at Darlington Civic Theatre on Monday, dealing with difficult issues, including drug education.

The performances will also look at equal opportunities, bullying, racism, sex and relationships.

The themes are all taught in schools as part of the personal, social and health education curriculum.

PS2K, an initiative developed by Darlington Borough Council's community education service, involves a group of 11 to 16-year-olds from the Darlington area, who run issue-based workshops for young people in Darlington schools. Monday's event will be targeted at year eight pupils, but in the audience will be representatives from health education groups, social services and the police.

After the theatre event, PS2K will be visiting secondary schools in the town to take part in discussion groups with students, with a view to developing other peer education groups.