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Anorexia is a modern day illness that affects the
lives of many young people. In this edition of Edges we listen to the
desperation of a helpless mother watching her daughter face this nightmare of
self inflicted starvation.We also have a sixteen-year-old girl share her
struggle with this disease. In recent weeks I have had the privilege of
spending some time with both these people. I would like to thank them for their
willingness to share their plight with Edges readers.
Edges
stands in solidarity with people who feel excluded.In this edition we listen to
young people who feel vulnerable on release from prison.I am pleased to say
that our organisation has set up a new mentoring project for ex-offenders. Our
first fifteen Mentors have completed their training course and will be
available to work with young people coming out of the criminal justice system.I
visit prisons on a regular basis and Im sorry to say that I constantly
see young people re-offending time and time again.The system is failing.Edges
Magazine looks with eager interest at the new Youth Offending Teams,which
hopefully, will provide a greater deterrent to youth offending. Young people
can receive a great deal of motivation inside the prison system but on release
the support crumples.I firmly believe that there are so many young people
caught up in crime who need intensive support which might involve several
people working with them as part of a daily routine. Drugs are a major factor
of criminal activity. I applaud those prisons which run rehabilitation
programmes.However, the therapy must not stop at the prison door. A structured
environment is needed for a growing number of young people in the community. I
am pleased to say that our drug rehabilitation programme is helping young
people turn away from crime and drugs.
Edges Magazine is not only the
mouthpiece of our projects, we also give a voice to people throughout the
U.K.who feel marginalised.I pay tribute to the many people who communicate with
us each day. We continue to spend some time with the homeless of London.In this
edition we listen to several people who search for a way out. Alcohol and drugs
still hold many of them captives.As we go to print we have just heard that the
Millennium Dome is to receive another £29 Million from the Lotteries
Board.This money would be better invested in the lives of many that struggle
with the complexities of day to day life.
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