SIXTH-FORMER Alex Phillips went straight to the top when he wanted information on drug use and abuse for an A-level course.

The 18-year-old, from Hexham, contacted his local police force direct, as well as local social workers.

And the upshot was a face-to-face session with both in the study rooms of Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham yesterday.

Local Northumbria Police beat manager PC Barry Emery spent an hour with the five-strong BTEC Creative Media course team in the school, answering searching questions.

The students also grilled local social worker Amber Proctor, of Hexham Youth Initiative, then produced a video of the session which will go into the course portfolio ahead of final assessment later this year.

Alex said: “I said I wanted to meet someone from the police and see if I could get their view on drugs trafficking. I hoped they would respond positively, and although it took a few weeks, that's exactly what happened.

“It worked out very well. We had a good session on a good subject with a good point to it.

“Drugs are a hot topic right now. I know someone who was involved in drugs and I think that helped.”

Fellow-student Jenny Waitt, 17, added: “We asked things like where you can get access to drugs and what is done about it. It was a really helpful session for our course.”

PC Emery said: “Alex approached us directly and asked if somebody would be willing to be interviewed about it.

“The students asked some good questions. They wanted to know about the impact of drugs in this area and what we tend to do with young people and drugs.

“They were fairly open-ended questions and I gave them some examples of things that have happened. I think it was beneficial for everyone.

“I liaise a lot with the high school, and we do work around the criminal justice system.

“We have had the Year Nines visit Hexham Police Station and shown them around the cells, talking about the criminal justice system in terms of young people.

“I also warned the media course group about the perils of getting involved in crime.

“Even just a caution can stop them getting the university place they want, for there are certain courses where they do an enhanced criminal records check.”