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Racing industry participants are being encouraged to attend a series of Drug and Alcohol Awareness Workshops that will be conducted by Racing NSW from February 2.

As part of Racing NSW’s long-term Drug and Alcohol Awareness Program, the workshops will be held in each region of the State. While previous sessions have been run for apprentice jockeys, other industry participants, including apprentice masters, are being encouraged to attend.

Headed by accredited and experienced drug and alcohol mentor, Pat Webster, the workshops will include general discussion around the dangers and effects of alcohol and drug usage.

“We’ve run the sessions for apprentice jockeys in the past as part of their mandatory training and now we are also encouraging their masters to attend,” Webster said. “It will be highly beneficial to other participants also to attend.”

Webster, who has delivered drug and alcohol counselling for Racing NSW since 2010, believes there will be something for everyone at the upcoming workshops.

“Its all about helping people in our industry to be aware of the damaging effects of drug and alcohol and working together to help solve the problem,” Webster said.