FROM teenage tearaway to regimented role-model, 15-year-old Emily Edwards from Newport is almost unrecognisable as the girl she was just over a year ago.

By the age of 14, Emily's CV was a shocking mixture of school exclusions, drug and alcohol problems which nearly killed her and even a police record.

But now, she is not only off drink and drugs, but is motivated, ambitious, plays football at county level and is even planning a career as a carpenter in the army.

Born in Abergavenny, Emily moved to Newport at the age of 10 with her mother and her new step-father's family.

It was when she joined secondary school a year later that the trouble began.

"I fell in with the wrong crowd," she said.

And not long after she joined St Julians School, she was being excluded, had started taking drugs and was getting into trouble with the police.

"I had always had behaviour problems but it started getting really bad.

"I was swearing at teachers, not going to class, I was even stoned in lessons.

"I can't believe how bad I was."

Midway through Year 8 she was asked to leave and started Year 9 at Hartridge School.

The problems continued to escalate, and Emily even smashed up a teacher's car. That and her continued drug problems leading to court appearances and a community services order.

At home, Emily's relationship with her mother was also suffering with frequent arguments.

She was asked to leave Hartridge School and was transferred to Queens Hill behavioural unit.

Emily's dangerous addiction even threatened to cut her young life short.

Aged just 14, she was found collapsed behind a church in Abergavenny after a drug dealer gave her a cocaine overdose.

She was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital for two days, where it emerged she had been drinking, smoking and taking Ecstasy before adding whatever the dealer gave her to this lethal cocktail.

But at the end of Year 9, the school had referred Emily to a nine-week rehab programme called Turnaround, to help her get off drugs and alcohol.

It was then that she was told about Military Preparation College in Cardiff and she was referred to the course.

"It was a turning point," she said.

"At first I tried talking back to the teachers, but they would just make me do press-ups.

"After a while I got so tired I thought I'd give being good a try.

"Then everyone was so much nicer when I was following orders, I stuck with it."

The preparation college runs a gruelling schedule, but Emily has thrived on the practical emphasis.

"Even when we do English or Maths, it's not the same as in school. They translate the skills into a military setting.

"It feels more relevant."

Emily has also excelled at extra-curricular activities. She plays football for Newport County, has done her bronze Duke of Edinburgh award and even made a presentation to Newport AM John Griffiths as part of the college's bid for Assembly funding.

And where she did not have a future before, Emily is now keen to pursue a career in the Royal Engineers, as a carpenter.

"I really can't remember why I did all those things. It just seems really stupid now."

She is also much closer to her family now and says her relationship with her mother is better than it has ever been.

Her mother, Kath Edwards, 42, said: "We are all so proud of her.

"The way she was before was terrifying. Having to go to court was the lowest of the low.

"But the change in her has been so dramatic. We've got the old Emily back now."

An average day at Cardiff's Military Preparation College

  • 8.30am Parade
  • Three hours in the classroom
  • Three hours of physical training
  • Fridays usually involve a long run in the Brecon Beacons.
  • The course also involves sleep-outs, weekends and a training week way.

Huw Lewis, the college director said: "The most important training objective we have is to ensure that they (students) become good, productive members of their community, whether they want to join the armed forces or not.

"Emily's been with us for a year now and she's doing extremely well. She started off unfocused and she wasn't enjoying school, but over the weeks she just kept progressing. Over the past 12 months she's progressed to the point where she has won awards for the most improved student.

"We are very proud of her. She's exactly what the college is for, to help young people achieve their absolute best."