A TEAM of recovering drug users from Teesside has won an inaugural regional football tournament.

The players, representing Pathway Project Stockton, lifted the Four Rivers Trophy after winning the final for drug users in treatment.

The tournament, held in Newcastle, saw the top two teams from the Teesside tournament, played last December, entered into the final against teams from Wearside, County Durham and Darlington, and Tyneside.

The Stockton team clinched the trophy in a sudden-death penalty shoot-out against Outlook Lifeline, from Tyneside, after the two sides played out a 0-0 draw in the final.

The initiative, led by the Government Office for the North-East Drug Intervention Programme, is aimed at getting problematic drug users out of crime and into treatment.

It has been running since last summer, and has the backing of the North-East's five universities and the Football Association.

By encouraging problematic drug users to participate in weekly football sessions, their health improves, along with self-esteem and self-worth.

Not only does the programme help drug users take their minds off their addictions, some of them have gone on to gain coaching qualifications so they can make a difference in their communities.

Sue Maddison, from Stockton Drug Action Team, said: "Too often, we hear about the negative side of people's lifestyles. Here we have an example of more than 50 drug users in treatment who have taken the opportunity to turn their lives around. Everyone attending the event was a winner and showed their commitment to building healthier lifestyles.

"The icing on the cake, for me, was Stockton winning the event. Well done to all."