PUPILS at a Darlington school have helped to create a web site to educate youngsters across the UK about the dangers of drugs.

The web site, funded by the Darlington Drugs and Alcohol Action Team, aims to give young people vital information about drugs and the damage they can cause.

It also contains information and advice for adults who want to know more about the drug culture.

The idea for the site started during an Investing in Children event in Easington near Durham when young people and youth workers started talking about setting up a drugs education web site.

The group came up with the name, Terminal Effects, and then pupils at Eastbourne School got involved.

The pupils spent time with DAAT finding about the dangers of drugs and discussing how best the information could be presented to their peers.

John Keeble, who helped to put the site together and met with pupils said: "There was no teaching involved.

"It was all about discussion and getting the young people onto the internet to find out what information was already out there.

"All the work was done by the young people."

Each week a dozen volunteers from Eastbourne School met to decide what wording and images should be used on the site to ensure it appealed to youngsters.

The site includes information about the law, different drugs, how to get help as well as interactive quizzes.

Mr Keeble said: "The youngsters who created the site have learnt so much themselves that now we want to take the idea into other schools.

"The web site is an ongoing project so if other schools get involved their pupils can add their ideas."

The web site is up and running but will be officially launched at Darlington Town Hall next week.

The web site can be found at www.terminal-effects.org