A NEW treatment centre is set to open in Burnley in a bid to tackle the town's growing drug problem.

Health, council and police bosses have joined forces to plan the £1.6million centre, known as a Drugs Street Agency, which will be based in former care home Burnley House, in Westgate.

The centre, which will not be residential, aims to provide easy access to treatment and support for drug users, which is currently regarded as inadequate.

News of the centre follows shock figures released last month which showed people in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale were more likely to die from drug abuse than in Britain's tough inner cities.

Research by the International Centre for Drug Policy found 25 people in East Lancashire died through substance misuse in 2003 - the second worst rate in the country.

The street agency, funded with European and Government regeneration cash, is seen as vital in tackling the problem of hard drug use in the town, both in terms of the health impact and drug-fuelled crime.

Up to 70 per cent of burglary is estimated to be committed to pay for drug habits.

The development is a partnership of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust, Burnley Council, Lancashire Care NHS Trust and the Lancashire Drug Action Team.

It will provide services, including advice and support, access to a needle exchange, prescribed drug treatment, access to GPs, housing and employment advice, alternative therapies and health screening.

Dr Ellis Friedman, director of public health for the PCT, said: "Demand for services is high, but the number of people able to use facilities is low, since the town does not have a comprehensive range of services needed to prepare substance misusers for treatment.

"Nor does it have adequate levels of after-care services to enable stable users to move on from substance misuse."

Council leader Stuart Caddy said: "Burnley, like many other places, has a drugs problem. We all know the negative impact that drug use can have on our communities, particularly from crime and anti-social behaviour.

"This project will play a crucial role."