91Èȱ¬

Next week The Surgery's Aled Haydn Jones gets locked up in police cell; drivetime host Scott Mills is going on community payback and early breakfast presenter Greg James is down with the forensics checking out what's in drugs as they take part in a week-long social action campaign on 91Èȱ¬ Radio 1 and 1Xtra to raise awareness of the risks of taking drugs.

The Drugs Week campaign will explore the health risks associated with drug taking and highlight the possible consequences of buying and possessing illegal substances. It launches with a The Surgery special on Radio 1 (Sunday, 10.00pm) and runs on both stations until Sunday 14 June.

In a survey commissioned by Radio 1 in March 2009, 70% of the 16-24 year olds questioned admitted to knowing someone who has taken an illegal drug and over half had been offered drugs [1].

Drug-related items will run throughout the week on Newsbeat and special reports from Radio 1 DJs will feature in the Nick Grimshaw show on Radio 1 (Monday to Thursday, 10.00pm-12.00midnight).

The special reports on Nick's show include:

Monday 8 June – Greg James, presenter of early morning breakfast, talks about his visit to a forensics lab where he will find out exactly what can be found in different drugs;

Tuesday 9 June – Scott Mills takes to the streets to take part in a community payback programme for those who have been charged with drugs offences;.

Wednesday 10 June – Aled Haydn Jones gets locked up in a police cell, experiencing what happens if you are found in possession of drugs;

Thursday 11 June – Radio 1's Annie Mac reports about her visit to an addiction centre;

Over on 1Xtra Max takes a look at the subject in more detail on her weekday show from 2.00pm. She will also host a live studio debate on Friday 12 June at 2.00pm.

Special DJ reports will also run in Mistajam's evening show including:

Monday 8 June – Greg talking about his forensic lab experience;

Tuesday 9 June – Max talking about her community payback;

Wednesday 10 June – Aled talking about his police cell experience;

Thursday 11 June – Twin B reports on time spent at Heathrow with Customs.

The week will culminate in a The Surgery on Radio 1 special at 10.00pm which will have drug addiction specialist, Jane Hayward, live in the studio.

Radio 1 and 1xtra online will also have special videos of the DJs' reports where listeners can watch how they got on. Clips will also available on the Radio 1 Mobile site and there will be four free five-minute podcasts available to download and stream in full online.

Information and advice, in association with FRANK, the drugs information service will be given out on air and online.

Aled Haydn Jones says: "Drugs Week covers everything that young people need to know about drugs – from the effects they can have on both mental and physical health to what could happen if they are caught possessing them."

Ben Cooper, Deputy Controller, Radio 1 and 1Xtra, adds: "Our social action campaigns are a very important part of Radio 1 and 1Xtra's offering to young people. We aim to make a difference by delivering information in a way that is accessible to young audiences on subjects that effect them and their friends."

Jane Haywood, from the drugs information and advice service, FRANK, said: "Taking drugs is illegal, talking about them isn't. It's important to know the facts about drugs, that's why FRANK has joined with Radio 1 and 1Xtra to support their Drugs Week. Radio 1 online has a link to talktofrank.com for anyone in need of more information and advice or you can call the confidential helpline at any time of the day or night."

Radio 1 and 1Xtra's Drugs Week coincides with the Government's National Tackling Drugs Week.

Notes to Editors

Programming on Radio 1

The Surgery on Radio 1 (Sundays 10.00pm-12.00midnight)
Sunday 7 June – Launch of Drugs Week
Sunday 14 June – Drugs special, with drug addiction specialist Jane Hayward

Newsbeat
Daily special investigations and exclusive news throughout the week at 12.45pm and 5.45pm

Investigations
Special five-minute drug-related investigations that will run in the 9.00pm In New Music We Trust programmes

Monday 8 June – What's Wrong With Drugs?
Tuesday 9 June – ACCE documentary
Wednesday 10 June – The Life Of A Gram
Thursday 11 June – K Hole

Nick Grimshaw (Monday-Thursday, 10.00pm-12.00midnight)
The Nick Grimshaw show will have reports from Radio 1 DJs who will also be in the studio talk about their experiences.

Monday 8 June – Greg talking about his forensic lab experience
Tuesday 9 June – Scott talking about his community payback experience
Wednesday 10 June – Aled talking about his police cell experience
Thursday 11 June – Annie Mac talking about her drop-in centre experience

Programming on 1Xtra

Max (Monday-Friday, 2.00-4.00pm)
Every day Max takes a look at the subject of drugs in more detail, including a live studio debate on Friday 12 June

Mistajam (Monday-Thursday, 7.00-10.00pm)
Monday 8 June – Greg talking about his forensic lab experience
Tuesday 9 June – Max talking about her community payback
Wednesday 10 June – Aled talking about his police cell experience
Thursday 11 June – Twin B reports on time spent at Heathrow with Customs

[1] Survey commissioned by Radio 1 in March 2009 to get some steer on what young people thought about drugs. More than 1,300 young people replied.

Online
Radio 1 and 1xtra will also have special videos of the DJs' reports where listeners can watch how they got on.

FRANK
FRANK is the national drugs information service provided by the Department of Health, the 91Èȱ¬ Office and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It offers friendly, confidential advice on drugs, 24-hours a day throughout the year via a helpline on 0800 77 66 00, or online at www.talktofrank.com. Calls are free from a landline. If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can also textphone FRANK on 0800 917 8765.

KB