Chief reporter JACK TOLSON takes a look back at what was making the news in May 1990...

TWIN TOWN FEARS DRUG PROBLEM COULD EXPLODE

BARNSLEY could provide vital ammunition to help the Germans in their war against drugs.

A drugs worker from Barnsley’s twin town of Schwabisch Gmund hopes to put many of the lessons learned during a four-day mission to Yorkshire into practice back home.

The visit comes at a crucial time for the small German town.

Drugs workers are afraid that the town’s drugs problem could explode.

And they think that Barnsley could provide some answers to help German addicts kick the habit.

Schwabisch Gmund drugs co-ordinator Hubert Hiller said: “As everything in Germany is much more official addicts have to register with either the police, their GPs or social services many people don’t both for fear of losing their jobs if their employers find out.

“Consequently, there is a lack of trust between addicts and those who could help them and many slip through the net.

“Here in Barnsley, I was particularly impressed with the needle exchange scheme, the women and drugs project, The Barn and the prisoner referral service.”

ACTRESS UNVEILS NEW SYSTEM TO HELP ARTHRITIS SUFFERERS

ACTRESS Jenny Agutter came to Barnsley this week to officially open a pioneering information system aimed at helping arthritis victims cope with the illness.

Miss Agutter, known best for her part in in the film Railway Children, met staff and patients before unveiling the computer-based system at Barnsley Hospital.

She explained that she was keen to lend her support to the fight against the condition because her mum is a sufferer.

The system developed by the hospital is designed to eliminate the fear and mystery surrounding the disease by giving patients all the facts at their fingertips.

Consultant rheumatologist Dr Ade Adebajo said: “Research has shown that patients with a chronic disease deal with it better if they have plenty of information about their illness and treatment.

“But many find it difficult to talk everything through with a specialist.

“With this system, they can spend as long as they like questioning the computer, going back over things, and move logically through the subject.

“It’s extremely user-friendly and designed to allow the patient to become something of an expert on the precise problem that is affecting them.”

GOLFERS BOOST HOSPICE FUND

BARNSLEY St Peter’s Hospice Appeal Fund is £1,500 richer this week following the first-ever Am-Am Charity Golf Tournament at Sandhill Golf Club.

Television celebrity Paul Shane was among the 120 competitors at Friday’s event.

Co-organiser, John Royston, said: “We presented a cheque for £1,500 to the matron of the hospice, Ann Vaughan, on the night but a further £350 may follow if all pledges are honoured.

“We’d like to thank the helpers, participants and sponsors for making the tournament such a success.”