DRUG barons should be forced to pay for a cure for addicts, says the chairman of a North-East police authority.

Police can seize dealers' cars, jewellery and homes under powers granted to them by the Government.

Cleveland Police last year seized almost £317,000 from people involved in drug dealing, burglary, vehicle theft and other serious crime.

But Cleveland Police Authority chairman, Councillor Ken Walker, says some of those seized assets should be used to finance medical treatment and support services for addicts.

He said: "I would take everything from these people that could be an asset gained through their illegal activities in drugs. I would use that to help rehabilitate and support those victims - the kids they have turned into addicts.

"The victims are the ones we should be helping."

Coun Walker is writing to health ministers to back his call.

There is support for his proposal from Dr John Canning, secretary of the local medical committee and a member of the British Medical Authority's GP committee.

He said: "Certainly, I would say investment of that money in health service improvements would be an appropriate use. It sounds a good idea. Those involved in drug misuse are victims of circumstance."

Coun Walker, a representative of Middlesbrough's Gresham ward, has campaigned for three years for an end to what he calls drug tourism, where dealers from London home in on the town's cheaper housing.

He has called for police and councils to be given the power to confiscate houses used by dealers as drugs distribution points and welcomes recent police action in closing down several known crack houses in the town.