COUNCILLORS have hailed as 'life-changing' a new £2.7million a year strategy to tackle drug and alcohol addiction in a borough.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board approved the new ‘recovery oriented’ system on Thursday.

As well as clinical and medical interventions the blueprint, which will come into effect in April, incorporates measures to find addicts employment, training, education and provide support within family life.

It also includes cash for supervised drug consumption and needle exchange across the borough.

Conservative group leader John Slater said: "This will really change lives. There is a desperate need for this."

The council's finance boss Vicky McGurk said: "I welcome this. Substance abuse destroys lives and families."

The executive board authorised a tender exercise for a new contract for the provision of substance misuse services as the current one comes to an end.

Council health boss Cllr Damian Talbot said: "The costs of alcohol and drug misuse to society are significant. Estimates show that the social and economic costs of alcohol related harm amount to £21.5bn, while that of illicit drug use costs £10.7bn. These include costs associated with deaths, NHS, crime and, in the case of alcohol, lost productivity.

"Alcohol treatment reflects a return on investment of £3 for every pound invested. Drug treatment reflects a return on investment of £4 for every pound invested."

The move has been welcomed by his Conservative group cou