THOUSANDS will head for Swindon's pubs and clubs to celebrate the biggest party night of the year but many will be abusing drugs.

Nationally, around half of 16 to 25-year-olds are thought to have tried illegal drugs and some 220,000 young people in England are regular users of the more dangerous Class A substances. In Swindon alone there are 2,000 registered heroin users.

Ahead of New Year's Eve, the Home Office has urged those intending to use drugs to call a national helpline offering confidential advice about the dangers. Far more than the old "just say no" message, the National Drugs Helpline also tells people what they should do to minimise the risks if they are intent on drug-taking.

Ben Hughes, from the Wiltshire County Council Drug Action Team, said: "It's encouraging people to seek professional advice rather than relying on urban myths around drug use. The National Drugs Helpline is not about just saying no, there is also a school of thought which believes in harm minimisation. If they are going to use drugs, it is better that they do so with all the information."

Although drugs like cocaine and ecstasy can be fatal, the National Drugs Helpline is also intended to communicate the other less well-publicised side-effects of drug-taking, including long-term medical problems such as panic attacks, paranoia, depression, sleeplessness and heart problems.

Inspector Nick Bancroft, of Swindon Police, urged those heading out on New Year's Eve to think carefully before dabbling in narcotics.

He said: "Apart from drug taking being illegal, it's a concern because of the consequences in terms of disorientation, the effects on people's rationality and the crimes they may commit as a result of that. There are also the dangers to their own lives and those of other people if they were to drive vehicles under the influence of drink or drugs."

The National Drugs Helpline is open 24 hours a day and can be called in confidence on 0800 776600.

Several venues across Swindon are to run a New Year's Eve initiative for the third year in a row, making free draught soft drinks available to all revellers.

The New Year's Eve offer extends to all draught soft drinks: Pepsi, lemonade and soda water. It will be run in pubs and bars including O'Neill's, Edward's, All Bar One, It's a Scream, Goose, Ember Inns and Arena. The free drinks will be available from 8pm to close of business.