A VIDEO by young residents at a homeless-ness centre will be shown as part of an anti-addiction initiative.

The X Factor style film, made by residents at the additional support unit at James Shields residential homeless unit, aims to warn other youngsters about the damage that drugs and alcohol can do.

The James Shields Drug and Alcohol Factor will be shown at a special Open Day at the centre, on Glasgow's South Side, as part of the city-wide Grand (Getting Real About Alcohol 'n' Drugs) initiative.

It aims to raise awareness and increase knowledge of alcohol and drugs issues and services, as well as tackle some of the related problems.

Visitors will get the chance to watch the video before being shown round the unit by the residents who feature in it.

In the video, dancers express what it is like to be on particular substances and the panel gives them an 'x' or not if they have correctly portrayed the effects.

Jamie Osborne, 22, has been at James Shields for six months and plays a judge in the video.

He came to the unit from a rehabilitation programme where he had been battling an alcohol addiction. Now he has been clean for two-and-a-half-months.

Jamie said: "When I was younger my father was an alcoholic and growing up and seeing that I would think 'that is alright, that's good.'

"I ended up in prison and rehab and in a life I didn't want to lead. Now it's all good. The programme at James Shields has given me different coping mechanisms to deal with the stress that made me want to drink.

"I can deal with my problems now. I feel much better."

A total of 16 young people are involved in the additional support unit, whilst the centre offers accommodation to a total of 37 people aged under 25.

Most people stay at the centre for between six months and two years where they are taught the skills of independent living.

Lorraine Fraser, project manager at James Shields, said: "The core message of the video is the real damage that drugs and alcohol can have and the affects it can have on yourselves and your family.

"It's the young people themselves who are getting the message across."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk