Police in south Essex have stepped up their campaign to tackle drug-related crime with a voluntary treatment initiative.

Drug users held in police custody will soon be asked to attend treatment programmes geared at helping them kick the habit, a police spokesman revealed.

The initiative, dubbed "Helping You to Help Yourself", has been launched following research which suggests it can take drug users up to 15 years to seek help.

During that time many commit numerous crimes such as burglary, car crime and shoplifting to raise money for drug habits that can cost up to £400 a week, according to the research. Six drug workers have now been appointed to the arrest referral scheme, starting on August 21, who will talk to drug users in confidence and refer to them for treatment if they agree.

However, the voluntary programme does not allow offenders to escape punishment, warned Insp Carl O'Malley from Essex Police Community Safety department.

He said: "This is about getting problem drug users into treatment early, but it's not an alternative to prosecution. The scheme is voluntary for those who wish to take advantage of it, but they will still have to face the consequences of their offending behaviour.

The scheme is just one part of a wider approach being developed to tackle drugs in Essex, which includes addressing the availability of drugs on our streets as well as educating young people about them."

It is hoped the project will improve the lives of drug users as well as getting them into treatment and out of crime, he added.

The Essex Arrest Referral Scheme has been developed in partnership with the county's health authorities, social services, and the probation service in conjunction with the Essex Drug Action team.

The team of six workers, three of whom cover Southend and Rayleigh, Basildon and Thurrock in south Essex, were selected from 200 applicants.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.