LOCAL youngsters faced with any form of addiction are being offered free, confidential support from a new addiction counselling service based in Keith. 
Young Persons Addiction Counselling (YPAC) is available to young people in Moray aged between 12-24 years old who wish to address their own issues of addiction or who are affected by another's addiction. The new service is based in offices within The Loft, Keith, but the service is Moray wide.
Robert Bruce, MCA Coordinator, YPAC, said: "We are an addiction counselling service that has been created in response to surveys done with the young people of Moray. We came into being on 1 December 2008 and are funded for five years through the BIG Lottery. We aim to bring the service to those requiring it and have four counsellors Moray wide. Those wishing to access the service can be referred to us by youth workers, group leaders, guidance staff or can approach us themselves. We cover any type of addiction, for example gambling, gaming, alcohol, drugs, spending."

Counselling is offered in blocks of six weeks, with each session lasting one hour. On average it takes four to five sessions before any change happens.
Anyone who thinks the service could benefit them or someone they know should call (01542) 886630 and ask for Robert or Carol for more information. Look out for more articles on addiction from YPAC.

The poppy collection in Rothes raised £685 for this extremely worthwhile cause.  Thanks are expressed to all outlets who displayed a can and poppies in their premises.  The amount raised was £74 up on last year's collection.

Jim Anderson Poppy Appeal co-ordinator

Isn't it wonderful to pop down the streets of Rothes on a dreich November evening and see  for the first time this years Christmas lights display.  They are there to enjoy and brighten up our lives until the early days of January.  We all say a  hundred thousand thank-yous to Keith and his team.  Well done again boys!