A 15-year-old student from The Petersfield School has made a heartfelt plea for police and councillors to tackle the escalating drug problem in the town.

The year 11 teenager stood up in front of members of the public and councillors at the central area community committee in Penns Place on Tuesday night and delivered a sincere and impassioned plea for help.

Amie Farr, who is deputy headgirl at TPS, abandoned her prepared notes and told councillors she was speaking out because she felt so strongly about the problem.

She told the meeting: "I went to TPS with friends from our previous junior schools and I have seen people go from being quiet and shy to getting in with the wrong group".

"Drugs are too easy to get hold of in Petersfield, you can find someone and say 'can I have some of that?', it's that easy to get hold of drugs."

She said she was against drugs because she had witnessed their effect on people her own age.

"They have gone from being quiet and normal and changed, and it's very hard for the rest of us."

Amy added: "Unless you have your head screwed on and you are clued up, it is so easy to start taking drugs".

Acknowledging the problems in tackling drugs, she told the meeting: "I know it's hard for anyone to put a real finger on how to stop it happening, but it is something I feel strongly about.

"I would like to think we could address it and make it less easy to get wild on drugs."

Amie was one member of a deputation from TPS who took part in East Hampshire District Council's citizenship classes last year. They were taught about the democratic process and of their right to campaign and lobby for change. And the group who spoke on Tuesday night felt so strongly on several issues that they decided to exercise their right to speak and ask for help.

After the meeting the headteacher of TPS, Nigel Poole, told The Herald: "I applaud Amie's passion and share some of her concerns. TPS has an excellent illegal substances policy which we pursue vigorously".

"While we are well aware of the pressures on young people within this community we work very hard to ensure that in school pupils can learn in a secure and less pressured environment.

"I know, however, that the issue of the availability of illegal substances in the town is one which exercises several local headteachers, and we are all very keen to continue working closely with other agencies such as the police to reduce the risks to young people in Petersfield."

Amie spoke as part of a group of students who were anxious to change the image of young people in Petersfield.

One teenager told the meeting: "We think we are perceived as if everyone is the same. The older generation think we all go out, drink, smoke and make trouble, and we are here to prove we are not all the same".

Another said the problems caused were by a small minority of teenagers.

"It is wrong to stereotype us - for instance we come to school on a double decker bus, and because there are so many children it is loud. There are a few adults on the bus too, and they complain, and then everyone gets into trouble."

A third year 11 student told councillors: "It's all about respect. Yes, there are some people being a nuisance, but it's a shame that others are being punished because of the minority. If you could try hard to help us we would be grateful."

A second group of year 11s pleaded for a music venue in Petersfield where they could listen to local live bands. Pupils said many of them were not allowed, or could not afford, to travel to and from Portsmouth on trains late at night. They believed a venue would be a good investment for Petersfield as it would bring more people and income into the community. They said it would be entertainment not only for young people but also for older members of the community who enjoyed music as well, and would help provide exposure for local musicians.

Another student said she wanted to see a social club set up for young people who had outgrown the King's Arms, which was only open until 9 pm.

She said she had conducted a survey and 80 per cent of her peers wanted somewhere safe to go in the evenings with supervision and seating, and where a snack bar could be operated.

Students said Caffé Nero, which has just opened in the centre of Petersfield, was too expensive for many youngsters who did not have jobs.

The meeting heard that there were suitable rooms upstairs at the Vertigo nightclub and council officers and youngsters agreed to pursue the matter.

A young footballer also made a plea for better facilities at the Bramble Road football pitch, where goalposts and nets had been damaged, and glass and other litter which could cause serious injury was left around the goal area .

Hilary Ayer asked him if he would consider forming a committee to manage the field and make sure young people were well-behaved and did not deposit litter. She added that she wondered whether five-a-side goal posts would be acceptable.

Anne Claxton told the meeting she had been a teacher for 35 years and had taught at TPS for 22 years.

"I do agree that the general public are inclined to judge young people by the few they see behaving badly, but most of them in this area are terrific, and I just hope we can change their image," she said.

"Drug users are some of the ones causing trouble and you have got to be vigilant and help us to help you."

Councillors reminded the teenagers of the Crimestoppers number, which can be used to report anonymously incidents of drug dealing, on 0800 555 111.