MATTHEW Trotman is caught up in a vicious circle.

Unless he can find a job and a decent place in which to live, he could end up in an environment in which it would be all too easy to slip back into drug addiction and crime.

This is the predicament facing this 27-year-old, and he clearly isn't the only one.

The new Swindon Drug Action Team has an awesome job ahead of it, and we hope it gets all the support it needs.

It's easy to accuse people like Matthew Trotman of being the authors of their own misfortune. But countless people at 16 have lacked the help and shelter which can be provided by a supportive family.

Issues have been raised by Mr Trotman's case which need urgent attention.

If we are to reduce the toll of addiction on young lives we must wake up to the needs of people like Matthew Trotman whose problems have escalated to the point where they've run out of control.