WORK by health officials to tackle drug and alcohol misuse has been praised.

At a recent meeting, Darlington Primary Care Trust (PCT) heard about the trust's work with the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), which has been awarded Beacon Status.

Councillor Bill Dixon, the PCT's non-executive director and the deputy leader of Darlington Borough Council, said: "Darlington's CSP already has a national reputation for innovation and quality. Scores of local authorities from across the UK have paid visits to the service to see best practice at work."

The trust invests about £100,000 a year into the CSP, particular the Drug and Alcohol Team, and Coun Dixon said he believed the work of this team had been vital in securing the Beacon Status.

Its success has meant Darlington has been showing other areas in the country how it achieved its results.

A report by the Advisory Panel on Beacon Councils said: "Darlington is the epitome of true partnership working."

It also said the partnership led to less crime, disorder and substance misuse.

Darlington's CSP was the first in the country in which health and social care professionals worked alongside police under one roof.

It has also provided initiatives such as outreach workers, young offenders schemes and uniformed wardens.