AN MP will tonight offer his support to a group set up to help people who live with abusers of drugs, alcohol and other substances.

Easington MP John Cummings will take part in an open evening about Free the Way, a community group serving Seaham and surrounding areas of east Durham.

He will join local councillors, senior police representatives, and health and drug workers, at the open evening at St John's Church Hall, Seaham.

The event will give local professionals in the drugs field the chance to hear the views of families of substance misusers across Easington district about how services can be improved.

Free the Way has been running for eight months, offering advice and support to people who live with abusers of drugs and drink.

It meets on Mondays, except Bank Holidays, at St John's Church Hall, where families have a chance to chat in an informal, but confidential, setting.

Parents of substance misusers decided to set up the group to give other families a place to talk about their situation with like-minded individuals.

Various professionals in the field are often invited to speak at meetings, while information is available on support and counselling services and drop-in centres.

County Durham Drug Action Team co-ordinator David Cliff said: "We must not forget about the effect drug misuse has on families and parents.

"The Seaham support group is providing a much-needed lifeline, offering advice and support to parents and families of children and adults who are substance misusers."

Local parent, and one of the four founders of the group, known only as Sheila, said: "Other group members have been a real lifeline for me.

"My son has been a drug addict for five years and it's ruined our lives, but the group has given me somewhere to go to talk to other parents in a similar situation and has given me loads of support."

She urged other families with similar problems to attend the meeting tonight, stressing that only first names are used at gatherings and that everything else is confidential.

The meeting starts at 7pm and finishes at 9pm.