A £1.5 million Home Office campaign aimed at preventing youngsters from trying illegal and dangerous drugs at parties this New Year's Eve is being launched today.

As millions of people gear up for the biggest night of the year on Monday, it is predicted thousands of young people will be tempted to experiment with drugs such as Ecstasy and LSD.

The new campaign is aimed at 11 to 18 year-olds and advises them to call the National Drugs Helpline to get reliable information about the dangers of taking drugs before they find out through personal experience.

Last year the NDH took 275,000 calls from inquirers asking for help or advice about drugs, with the average age being 16. Of these calls, 21,000 were from the south west.

Home Office drugs minister Bob Ainsworth said: "Drug-related deaths make the headlines but what many young people do not know about are the less dramatic side effects of taking class A drugs.

"These can include long-term medical problems such as panic attacks, paranoia, depression, sleeplessness and heart problems.

"Many young people get their information about illegal drugs from their friends, from drug dealers or from urban myths. "A lot of people say a lot of things about drugs but the National Drugs Helpline know the facts."

Ian Clements, Drugs Prevention Advisory Service regional manager for the south west, said: "I know many young people in the south west are going to think about taking drugs on New Year's eve, some of them for the first time.

"Many of them will do because their friends tell them they are safe and fun.

"I want them to stop and think before they take illegal drugs and get the facts on what they are doing."

The campaign is being launched today on radio, television, in magazines and in posters in night clubs and colleges. It will be supported by a communications programme targeted at parents, key professionals and community groups.

The campaign was announced by Home Secretary David Blunkett in October when he gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on plans to reclassify cannabis.