Rhyl youths unhappy with drug, alcohol and litter problems

Dec 10 2008 By Andy Davies

Drug use

A "FIRST of its kind" report by a prominent youth group has highlighted drug and alcohol and litter problems as high priority issues in a Denbighshire holiday resort.

In a Youth Consultation Report by the Rhyl Youth Action Group (RYAG), members created a document of their wish list of things that need addressing in the town.

RYAG attempted to complete over 700 individual interviews and focus groups from their peers within the community and are hoping to present their findings to First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

Top of the list of "what do you like most in Rhyl" were the High Street and surrounding shops with 31% of those asked considering this to be the town’s best feature.

The next best characteristic of the town according to those questioned is the beach and sea gaining a 13% share of the responses.

But the two main dislikes about the seaside resort are the litter and rubbish (476 of those questioned) as well as the town’s drug and alcohol problems (453 of those questioned).

When asked what they would like to see changed in Rhyl, a staggering 89% (623 out of 698) said they would like to see Rhyl cleaned up and a reduction in the amount of litter.

Despite concerns about litter in the town, when asked what Rhyl Town Council or Denbighshire County Council could do to make things better for Rhyl; only 33 people felt they should do something about litter. This highlights, according to the recommendations of the report, that the problem is an issue for the community as a whole and not just the council.

Instead 33% of those questioned felt the town and county council could make things better in the way of improving activities and things for young people to do in Rhyl.

The report also highlighted that meeting places for young people, such as youth cafes, are of the highest importance for provision among the youth of Rhyl.

Alarmingly despite such good responses on issue’s in the town and possible solutions, when asked "if this could be done in the next two years would you like to help?" just 51% of those interviewed answered yes and were prepared to help with improvements to or the development of facilities. However a massive 78% of the young people interviewed feel they should get more involved in local issues and politics.

Actions which have been taken already by RYAG are the making available of funding for environmental projects via YouthBank where young people can access grants in order to help "clean up" the town.

RYAG are currently working with Rhyl City Strategy and are hoping to work with Rhyl Going Forward to ensure young people are involved in regeneration projects in the town through meetings, consultation and direct action.

Commenting on the report Vale of Clwyd AM, Anne Jones said: "Their methodology and findings make interesting reading showing that if the community embraces young people then there is such a lot to learn. I want to say a huge thankyou to RYAG and well done to the young people who took their time to conduct the survey and produce this report."