DRUG problems pose the "biggest sickness" facing Burnley, Coun Eddie Fisk told the council's policy chiefs.

It was, he said, THE major problem confronting both the town and the country at large, adding that any political party which promised to wipe it out would be elected immediately.

Coun Fisk echoed the views of other councillors as the authority declared war on drugs with new initiatives to tackle "the plague of the '90s".

He said drug abuse led to crime, wrecked lives and, tragically, to death and he believed there simply were not enough centres helping to wean addicts off drugs.

Council chiefs were shocked when a major public survey of opinion in Burnley identified drug problems as the major cause of public concern - a greater headache than crime in general.

The council has responded swiftly, announcing plans to build on existing help schemes and posting notice to launch new initiatives to combat the menace.

A further £73,000 will be put into anti-drug work and further cash will be sought from the Government. Links with police and other help agencies will be strengthened in a long-term campaign to tackle all aspects of the problem.

Coun Alice Thornber said drug abusers were all too often shunned by GPs and community centres.

"To stigmatise these people is wrong; we have to realise it is a sickness and offer real help.

"It is so sad we treat these people almost as lepers."

Councillors ordered their officers to draw up a plan of action to combat the problems associated with drug misuse.

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