Cannabis campus for young people planned

Faces Training Support wants to raise £30,000 to redevelop the former Visions Art Glass Studio building, in Station Road, Weston-super-Mare into a safe space for youngsters to learn more about the class B drug.

The charity’s founder, Steve Melhuish, aims to educate and support under-18s with cannabis-related problems through mentoring and support groups.

Steve’s brother, Robert Cox, was stabbed to death at the Stoneham Egerton Road Project in Bristol in 2013, a home for vulnerable people with mental health problems.Robert was recovering from issues linked to drug abuse.

Steve wants to offer training programmes designed to educate people on the dangers of continued use of the substance from childhood.

Steve said: “I do not want any kids to end up like my brother.

“Cannabis use heightened and aggravated his mental health issues, but had there been the correct education available maybe he would have thought twice about using it. It will be better for youngsters to come to a safe place in the town centre, rather than hang around in parks where they are vulnerable and more likely to be approached for county lines dealings.”

Weston’s MP John Penrose has given his backing to the project.

He said: “I would support anything which helps steer young people away from a life of addiction and improve their chances to live a normal, healthy lifestyle.”

To donate, log on to www.spacehive.com/cannabiseducationcentre