The Evening Advertiser has joined forces with police to launch a telephone hotline enabling people to report suspected drug dealers. TAMASH LAL reports on the help given to by the Swindon and Wiltshire Drugs and Alcohol Service.

BARBARA Crofton plays a key role in trying to stem the tide of drug abuse in Swindon.

Barbara and her staff at the Swindon and Wiltshire Alco-hol and Drug Service help hundreds of addicts every year.

It is a long, tough process, but in spite of the difficulties, the Milton Road-based centre has a 60 per cent success rate.

Staff also educate school children about the dangers of illegal substances, provide support for vulnerable young people and help wean young offenders off drugs.

Like many people involved in tackling drug problems, Barbara backed the Swindon Drugs Hotline campaign.

With 400 new addicts seeking treatment at the centre every year, she said that action to tackle the dealers was vital.

She said: "Young people will always take risks with drugs, that has always been the case, and it hasn't changed.

"What has changed is that drugs are more readily available nowadays.

"So anything like this hotline which helps stop the supply on the streets is a positive thing. Communities in Swin-don are very knowledgeable about local drug problems.

"The hotline is a really good idea because these communities can work with the police to disrupt the supply."

Most addicts dealt with by the hotline have both alcohol and drug problems.

Barbara believes that hard drugs are often used to numb the emotional pain of a traumatic experience.

Staff use a range of techniques to get to the root of the problem.

She said: "We want to find out what has happened in their lives which has led to these problems.

"It could be a traumatic bereavement, family breakdown, anything really that causes the person to feel emotional pain."

Staff play a crucial role in preventing addictive drugs getting a grip on young people. They work closely with homeless hostels such as the Foyer in Old Town, and youth projects, such as the Clivey Project in Penhill, to ensure that youngsters who may be starting to use drugs are aware of the dangers, and get appropriate counselling.

Barbara firmly believes that most people are lured into using drugs by peer pressure.

She added: "One of the hardest things recovering addicts need to do is to change their friends.

"Most will be drug users, and it is really tough for people to make new, non-drug using friends."

The centre offers one-to-one counselling, a drop-in service, advice and information and can arrange residential care.

All services are free and confidential. Call the centre on 695405 for further information.

Tell us about the pushers

We need information about anyone you suspect of being involved in selling drugs.

All information received will be taken seriously by the police. Calls are confidential, and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.

Simply pick up the phone and call the 24-hour Swindon Drugs Hotline number 528800.

During office hours, calls will be answered by an officer at Swindon Police Station.

An answerphone will operate outside of these times. Leave as much information about the suspected dealer as you can, such as names, ages, addresses, if possible, or a good description, plus the location and times of any suspicious activities.

We are waiting for your call.