A FRESH drive to tackle the high numbers of young people in the region who take hard drugs such as Ecstasy was launched yesterday.

About 9.8 per cent of 16 to 21 year-olds in the North-East admitted to trying Class A drugs in the past 12 months - which is 1.5 per cent higher than the national average.

In County Durham last year, 800 more people received treatment for drug and alcohol problems. Seventy were under 18 and 75 were 18 to 19-years-old. Heroin addiction was the most common problem.

The Government Office for the North-East yesterday launched the Frank campaign, which aims to help young people and their parents obtain more facts about Class A drugs.

The national drive includes a new hotline that replaces the National Drugs Helpline, a website and an advertising campaign in pubs and clubs. It hopes to encourage more people to seek advice, with the catchphrase: Drugs are illegal; talking about them isn't.

David Crosthwaite, regional manager of the Government Office drugs team, said: "This will offer advice on drugs and the effects of drugs that is impartial, objective and easily accessible.

"Beyond that, it will help those in need access the next tier of services, such as treatment and counselling."

He denied the campaign was simply a change in name for the National Drugs Helpline. "This is much more encompassing," he said. "It provides advice not only for young people but also parents. It is non-judgemental, straightforward help."

According to new figures about 21 per cent of 16 to 21- year-olds in the North-East said they took drugs in the past year - about nine per cent less than the national average.

For more details about the Frank campaign, contact 0800 776600, or log on to www.talktofrank.com.