ALTON Town Council is being encouraged to look into the possibility of setting up SNAP discos, a scheme by the Crimestoppers charity, which has proved to be a resounding success in the Petersfield area.
The SNAP (Say No And Phone) discos are run all over the South, and are designed to raise awareness of drugs in the community. The name comes from the advice that if children are offered drugs, then they should say no and phone the police.
District councillor Jim McKell raised the issue at last week's town council's meeting. He said that these events have been very successful in Petersfield and such a scheme could work wonders in Alton.
"The events are well organised and well attended. They are supported and run by the police and as such, they are very well marshalled".
The Petersfield programme which has been such a success has been spearheaded by Inspector Steve Sargeant of Petersfield Police. The discos are run once a month on a Saturday night between 7 pm and 11 pm at Petersfield's Taro Centre.
Inspector Sargeant said, "Crimestoppers began the programme following an American idea, and we have been running them for about a year in Petersfield. The capacity of the building is 600, and we are filled to capacity every time.
"The discos not only provide the kids with something to do and a meeting place with a positive atmosphere, but they also raise awareness in young people about drugs. We run competitions promoting knowledge of the effects of drugs and attitudes towards drugs with decent prizes like TVs and mobile phones, so the kids actually want to learn."
Alton Town Mayor David Willoughby said: "I hope that such an event could be organised locally, and maybe we should think about working with the police in looking at the possibilities."