THE battle against drug addiction has stepped up a gear with proposals for a new outreach centre.

The search is on for a base in the Bishop Auckland and Dales area for the centre.

County Durham and Darlington Drug Action Teams coordinator David Cliff said the Dales has been made a priority for the new facility.

He said: "This is a priority for planning over the coming year. We are looking for the best location we can so the service will be reasonably accessible to most people in the Dales area."

Money for the project is coming from the Government's central strategy review and is part of a package of developments costing £709,000 to benefit the area.

Other funding will come from sources including Primary Care Group Support.

As well as a central base, the centre will organise outreach clinics throughout the outline districts surrounding Bishop Auckland, Weardale and Teesdale.

Mr Cliff said: "We will be offering a whole range of services. One of the key concerns we have got is that people get choice in what they receive.

"It will start with outreach work into the community, so people can receive local services, possibly even in their own homes where appropriate."

The service will be aimed at people aged over 16 and will also offer support to parents of abusers.

Mr Cliff said: "There is a drug problem everywhere. We know that drugs services in the Dales have not kept up with developments in the past and we are determined to do something about that so that it is put on a level pegging with other areas."