THE mother of a teenager who tragically died from an overdose has backed a campaign to give children more information on the dangers of drugs.

Lancashire Police solicitor Niamh Noone, who lost her 16-year-old son Gareth two years ago, spoke candidly at the launch of a mobile education unit - which has been set up in memory of the teenager.

She echoed the words of Edwin Jacks, Chairman of Life Education Centres for Lancashire (LEC), who called for children to be 'armed with more information'.

Niamh Noone said: "For our family, Gareth's death was sudden and shocking. I still have difficulty believing he's dead.

"Gareth will live on in this practical memorial to arm young people against the dangers of substance abuse and to prevent them, I hope, from suffering the same fate.

"I would like to thank the LEC for giving our family the consolation of this memorial, which will help ease the dull ache in our hearts but more importantly may save the lives of young people."

The education unit is LEC's second and will be used to tour primary schools, including the Preston and South Ribble area, offering information to help prevent drug abuse.

They aim to educate children in a 'fun' way about the positive aspects of being alive. Niamh Noone has also made a video called 'If only he'd known' in which she talks about Gareth's life and the effect of his death on the family.

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