Record numbers of drug users in Bradford are getting treatment to kick their habit in a major bid to tackle the scourge of addiction.

More than 3,250 addicts are now in treatment programmes as drug agencies step up the fight to end the misery inflicted on thousands of lives.

And a major campaign, Tackling Drugs Changing Lives, has started in the district, aimed at preventing drug use, treating addicts, tackling supply and reducing drug-related crime.

Drugs workers have teamed up with police, Bradford Council and the Government to boost the huge efforts already being made to break the cycle of addiction and drug-related crime. Nina Smith, Bradford Council's policy officer for substance misuse, said drugs was a major problem in Bradford and the campaign was vital.

"About three per cent of people in the district, aged between 25 and 39, are drug users," she said. "That is a very serious problem and an awful lot of people whose lives are in a mess.

"Until, and in some cases when, they are in treatment, they are causing damage to the community through acquisitive crime and damage to those who love them.

"There is also the cost. Next year £9 million will be spent in Bradford on drug treatment. That is mostly from the Government, but a small amount has to compete with other NHS priorities locally."

Miss Smith said there was also a lot of intimidation and violence from gangsters and organised criminals involved in the drugs trade.

"Highly undesirable people are making a very good living and leading comfortable lifestyles out of supplying drugs," she said.

But Miss Smith said a great deal of successful work was being done to help victims of addiction.

She estimated there were between 4,500 and 5,000 addicts in the district but about two thirds were now having treatment to break their habit.

"We now have record numbers of users in treatment programmes and that is very good news. You can never get 100 per cent into treatment but the nearer we can get to that figure the better.

"By the end of March 2004 we had 3,020 users in treatment. By the end of last September that figure had risen to 3,258 and our target is to reach 3,457 by the end of March. The aim is to get every single problem drug user into treatment."

She said one reason for the increased numbers of addicts seeking treatment was that their average age was increasing and the older they were the more they wanted to change their lives.

The intervention of the criminal justice system in recent years had also played a major part with anyone charged with drug offences or acquisitive crimes, like robbery, burglary, shoplifting and thefts from cars, now being automatically referred to the Drugs Intervention Programme (DIP) which supports addicts in the first stages of weaning them off their habits.

From April anyone arrested, but not necessarily charged, with such crimes will be drug tested and offered the opportunity of treatment. Anyone refusing to be tested will be charged with a criminal offence.

Those who go into treatment attend a drug agency, either a voluntary project like Ripple, Bridge, or Project 6 at Keighley, or an NHS agency, where they are assessed and treated according to their need.

Heroin addicts are often initially put on a prescribed substitute drug, like methadone, which satisfies their craving but stops them going out stealing to pay for illegal drugs.

Users are given counselling and move on to structured day care which gives them some order in their lives and the chance to move forward. They are also given help with education, employment, housing and social skills.

There are about 100 drug workers in the district, as well as 40 DIP workers.

Nina Smith said: "We are trying to get them out of that cycle of drugs and crime and into structured lives. Drug workers are incredibly motivated and passionate about what they do. They are committed to getting these people off the streets and into treatment."

Three-quarters of people have remained in treatment for 12 weeks or more, the fourth best record in the country, while Bradford is ranked sixth for the number of people in contact with drug treatment services.

Miss Smith praised the police for trying to tackle drug dealing and acquisitive crime.

In this financial year police have carried out more than 520 drugs operations, executed 137 warrants, made 432 arrests, and seized more than £521,000 cash and drugs valued at more than £750,000.

The Tackling Drugs Changing Lives campaign includes a national awards scheme to find the drug worker and team of the year.

Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton, chairman of the Safer Communities Partnership in the city, said: "Drug-related crime is falling. Behind this progress are many individuals and teams that are making the difference. These awards will give much deserved recognition to the drug worker and the drug team that help turn lives around."

The winners will be revealed on National Tackling Drugs Day on May 23.