AN innovative strategy to tackle the drugs menace in North-East communities will be launched today to cut the number of deaths.

Organisations throughout the region have combined their expertise to devise a list of priorities aimed at fighting the drugs problem during the next four years.

The Regional Substance Misuse Statement is understood to be the first of its kind in the country and will be closely monitored by the Home Office.

It sets out a list of actions and priorities agencies will adopt with the overall aim of reducing the number of people who die from drug poisoning

In 2003-2004, 189 people in the region lost their lives as a direct result of drugs.

Research from the British Crime Survey reported between 1996 and 2002 the North-East moved from being one of the regions with the highest adult drug use to one of those with the lowest.

The statement has been designed to support and strengthen ongoing work tackling drugs in the region.

Thornaby Community College, near Stockton, has been operating a drugs education programme which the strategy authors hope will be copied by North-East schools.

Pupils are taught about illegal drugs throughout their five years at the school and topics include the law, risks, the appearance of drugs and the consequences of drug-taking on the individual and society.

Bill Tevendale, headteacher at the college, said: "As a parent myself, I am more than aware of the fact there is a problem bubbling away under the surface, and which is cutting across all social classes."

The regional initiative, launched in Newcastle, will ensure stakeholders work together with drug action teams to develop ways to combat misuse.

It has been drawn up by the North-East Crime and Community Safety Forum, including the region's three police forces, the Government Office for the North- East, the North Assembly, One NorthEast and the Association of North-East councils.