THE maker of a hard-hitting documentary about heroin misuse on York's streets has appealed for support or sponsorship to help him get the film shown in schools.

Kevin Curran produced, edited and directed Stranded On Cloud 9, a harrowing look into the lives of three York heroin addicts.

The film has won widespread praise and has been shown at City Screen, and at the Priory Street Centre as part of York's Without Walls Festival of Ideas.

Kevin says he wants to get the film shown in schools as part of drugs education - but needs support to be able to do it.

He said: "Ideally it would become part of the curriculum, but just being able to go into schools and show the film to 15 or 16-year-olds would be a good start. Young people need the facts and they need to see what heroin can do to people.

"I believe children would learn a lot of valuable things from this film. It is about real life, about what is happening here in York, right now.

"I firmly believe that educating people about drugs is the way forward. Teenagers, and even younger children, are getting sucked into the world of drugs, some of them using heroin without even realising exactly what it is they are doing.

"Once they are into the cycle of addiction, it is really, really hard to get out, something the film shows. We need to let them have the facts, all the facts."

Kevin said any form of support or sponsorship would be welcome.

He added: "I would be grateful to anyone which can help. If there are any ex-heroin addicts or ex-drug addicts, or drugs counsellors, who would be willing to talk to the kids after the film is shown, I would love to hear from them."

York parent Christine Tattersfield showed the film to her 16-year-old daughter. She strongly believes it should be shown in schools.

She said: "If anyone can help Kevin then please do. We are not educating our children properly into the life we are living. That film is reality, it is out there on the streets, it should be shown."

Anyone who would like to sponsor or support Kevin can contact him at: brightsparksmedia@yahoo.co.uk

Updated: 10:52 Saturday, July 12, 2003