Co-operation is the key to beating the drug problem

He explained why the fight against drugs takes more than just tough policing - needing the help of community groups and volunteers as well as public services. Ben Parsons reports.

Government ministers are not in the habit of confessing to weakness.

It is even more rare for a heroin addict to be told he has a valuable contribution to make to society.

But in the peaceful exhibition space at St Paul's Church in West Street, Brighton, yesterday both these things happened.

Vernon Coaker, the parliamentary under-secretary for crime reduction, praised the artwork created and displayed by recovering addicts as part of their rehabilitation.

He singled out one man, James, as an example of how community groups can foster the ability and self-esteem of vulnerable people.

Pointing at James's artwork, he said: "I couldn't do that yet I'm regarded as successful and he is an individual who has had problems.

"His life has been changed, not by locking him up but by saying, Let's work with him.' "Sometimes if you can unlock the ability of people who have had difficulties, it does show they are people with talent."

Mr Coaker was visiting the city to launch national awards for groups tackling the effects drugs have on communities.

The Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives awards will give ten regional winners £10,000 each to support their projects.

Mr Coaker said: "With any problem, whether substance misuse or alcohol, we can't just solve it through one approach.

"There is obviously the approach about enforcement of the law but there is also that demonstrated here at St Paul's Church.

"The statutory services need the support of faith and voluntary organisations.

"I'd like to pay tribute to the church, the way it works so closely with the city's drug and alcohol action team."

Mr Coaker's visit to Brighton also took him to the base of Crime Reduction Initiatives, at St George's Place, to meet police and outreach workers.

He then went on to Vantage Point in New England Road to meet drug treatment workers.

Mr Coaker said: "I know drug workers and drug teams across the country are working tirelessly every day to tackle drugs and change lives.

"In recent years we have introduced tough legislation to tackle drug supply and remain committed to informing young people of drug dangers.

"I want to do more, but I know we cannot achieve our goals without professionals and volunteers going that extra mile."

He pointed to Brighton and Hove as an example where different approaches to the drug problem are yielding results.

Police, as well as taking a tough approach to dealers, work with social workers in the city to get users into treatment.

Brighton and Hove City Council's drug and alcohol action team works with community groups and families to try to manage the impact of addiction.

Mr Coaker said: "It is a difficult area of work but it does make a difference.

"There is almost a sense of despair about it sometimes.

"All across the country people locally demonstrate that a real change is being made and can be made. Part of the reason for coming to Brighton is to look at the success we have been having in getting individuals treated.

"The commitment and the dedication you can see in the people I met this morning goes beyond it just being a job.

"It is a difficult area to work in but one people in Brighton are clearly committed to being involved with."

Mr Coaker said the effects of drugs could only be handled properly when councils, health services and police worked with each other.

He said: "In Brighton there is a record number of people coming through treatment.

"That is a good thing.

"The next phase is to make the treatment more effective, looking at how we work with health, housing, employment and how we work with social services to deal with the chaotic lifestyle that surrounds drug addicts."

Do you think the Government is doing enough to tackle the drugs problem? Let us know below.