A SUPPORT service for drug addicts and alcoholics has seen a huge leap in the number of people seeking help over the last 12 months.

The Alcohol and Drugs Service provides help and advice for addicts across the North West and runs a service in Burnley for the people of East Lancashire.

Last year the organisation almost doubled the number of new clients it deals with.

More than 6,350 came to ADS asking for help, an increase of 46 per cent on the previous year.

ADS deals with a total of 73,171 people every year, a rise of a quarter compared with the year before.

And more than 20,000 people with drug or drink problems took part in face to face counselling sessions organised by the group. The organisation says the huge increase is a sign that new projects are reaching the people they are aimed at.

The increase is also being linked to a higher emphasis being placed on promotional work and publicity campaigns.

About half of the people who come to ADS for advice want help with dealing with drink problems and a third are heroin addicts.

The organisation was set up in 1973 and relies on Government grants and charity to fund its projects.

Elizabeth Smith, chief executive of the organisation, said: "We are delighted with the developments made over the year but the message remains the same.

"There is still a huge unmet need for treatment services for those affected by alcohol and/or drug problems.

"New resources of £217million from the Government's drug strategy are welcome, but need to be matched by a similar amount when the Government launches its national alcohol strategy."

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