Criminals with drug problems are committing crime in a bid to get treatment, a member of Bradford's health watchdog committee claimed today.

Les Vasey, vice-chairman of Bradford Community Health Council, who works with Drugs users, said the city was suffering from a severe drugs problem and co-ordinated action was needed.

He said: "In some areas we have prolific offenders with drug problems and the only way for them to access services is to get arrested. They have to wait for weeks and weeks for rehabilitation.

"We have one of the most serious drug problems in the country in Bradford and there's a significant cost to families and to the community where there's drug-related crime.

"There's significant funding going into the disparate services and it really is quite concerning that we haven't got a grip on treatment."

Mr Straw has announced a new National Treatment Agency will be set up to ensure high standards of treatment and rehabilitation across the country. It will directly commission care for a hardcore of 2,000 addicts who need residential treatment.

Cash in excess of £150 million, which is currently spent on various treatments across the country, will be pooled and used to support the work of the new agency.

In April, Dr Michael Ross, who runs Bradford's biggest service for addicts, said he did not have the funds to start treatment for any new patients. He is already treating 880 people.

Mr Straw said about 50,000 people across the country started drugs treatment programmes each year but the success rate of different schemes was too patchy.

Mr Vasey, who leads the CHC's work on drugs issues, said: "We would support any moves that create consistency of service and measurable outcomes."

And Alison Richards, co-ordinator of Bradford Drugs and Alcohol Action Team, said the announcement was positive news. "There will be co-ordination of budgets at a national level and this will enable us to plan local services more effectively.

"It will also give us support in ensuring that these services are high quality and that they will be effective in helping local drug misusers to access treatment and consequently reduce crime and the impact it has on the lives of people in Bradford."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "One of our current policing policies is tackling drug related crime. We believe in breaking the circle of drugs and crime by working closely with other agencies."

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