A DRUGS’ charity said there is ‘no need’ to increase support for drug addicts in East Lancashire, despite official statistics showing death rates for the misuse of drugs have doubled in Burnley and Hyndburn since 2005.

As previously revealed by the Lancashire Telegraph, data released by the Office for National Statistics showed that Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Blackburn with Darwen were all in the ‘top six’ boroughs for drug deaths in England from 2011 to 2013.

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Asked whether there is a need for more support for drug users, Rachael Taylor, manager of the Inspire project, which provides support services in East Lancashire, said in a statement: “No, Inspire, run by CRI in East Lancashire, is commissioned to provide support to anyone who is affected by drug and alcohol problems in the area.

“We work with a number of other services to provide health, wellbeing, education and family support services to more than 2,000 people at any one time in East Lancashire. There is support available for anyone who needs it.”

She said there has been an increase in the diversity of substances being used, with more people now having problems with cannabis, amphetamines and new substances referred to as ‘legal highs’.

She said there has been a reduction in the use of opiates such as heroin and cocaine, but did not provide any statistical evidence.