PEOPLE who have successfully battled drug addiction have been presented with special awards for their "determination, commitment and dedication".

Twenty former drug users received accolades from Blackburn with Darwen Mayor, coun Yusuf Jan-Virmani, in the Edges Personality of the Year Awards 2005, organised by pioneering Blackburn drug-rehabilitation charity THOMAS.

Almost all of those receiving awards joined the project run by THOMAS - Those on the Margins of Society -straight from prison after spending years involved in crime.

But THOMAS, based in France Street, offers them a secure home and teaches them the living skills they have never had, they have finally become clean.

A packed council chamber at Blackburn Town Hall heard many of recovering addicts' stories, which all involved time in prison.

But almost all of those presented with awards had started working, living on their own again, paying their own bills and looking after themselves .

Paying tribute to them Father Jim McCartney, the founder and chief executive of THOMAS, said: "You have shown us how determined and committed you are to radically changing your lives.

"Over the months you have exhibited commitment, dedication and motivation and all these are the initial skills needed for your future development when you embrace your opportunity within the employment sector or education sector."

Fr McCartney also took the opportunity to call on the Government to do more to help reformed drug addicts back into work.

He added: "We have an employment sector that is against fromer drug users.

"It is an issue the government needs to look at in its strategies."