Havant mum of Georgia Jones who died at Mutiny Festival helps to launch new drug education programme in Portsmouth schools

Janine Milburn from Havant lost her daughter Georgia Jones after the 18-year-old took two high strength MDMA tablets at Mutiny Festival in 2018.

The 42-year-old has been working with Portsmouth City Council and helped with One Choice, a programme of 12 sessions aimed at enabling young people to understand the facts and associated risks of taking substances, and how to avoid making the wrong choices.

Janine, along with Russell Abery, a former semi-professional motocross rider who succumbed to a drug addiction costing him his livelihood and liberty, spoke to more than 200 students at Springfield School in Drayton.

Janine said: ‘We have worked so hard to put this together and I am so proud that is now finally being rolled out across Portsmouth.

‘The truth is that it is not just Portsmouth youngsters that need this education but kids everywhere. When I told Georgia’s story in the assembly, you could hear a pin drop and that to me is lovely because it means they were listening and taking on board what happened. ‘

Father-of-one Tommy Cowan, 20, also died at the festival in Cosham after taking drugs.

The series, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK and part funded by the Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth, features workshops where they can ask questions and talks from staff at the Drug and Alcohol Support Services (DASS) and Hampshire Constabulary about the law on substances and county lines.

Sara Spivey, head teacher at Springfield School, said: ‘Janine and Russell really brought home the risks involved with drugs and I could tell by the students’ follow up questions how engaged they were.

‘Some of the students have told me how moved they were by what they heard and how it's brought home how one decision can really affect their lives.’

The project also includes training for teachers to give them confidence and competence to deliver drugs education. In addition, DASS have established a new role of Substance Misuse Champion in each secondary school.

Councillor Suzy Horton, cabinet member for education at Portsmouth City Council, said: ‘The team has worked really hard together over the last eighteen months and thanks to them, the city's schools now have access to the programme well ahead of September, when drug and alcohol education become mandatory.

‘I would like to thank them all and particularly Janine and Russell for being part of this and sharing their experiences. It is so important to equip young people with the knowledge that can help them to make the right choices in life.’

One Choice will roll out over the coming months to all secondary schools in Portsmouth and the findings from the workshops in schools are part of a larger piece of work which will inform the future development of drugs education in the city.