A DRUG and alcohol scheme which is believed to be the first of its kind in the county has been launched in Rossendale.

A support worker has been assigned to Bacup and Stacksteads in a bid to tackle some of the communities' worst problems.

Laura Brown, who lives in Burnley, has been funded through Sure Start, a government-funded programme aimed at improving the lives for families with children aged four and under.

Employed by the Burnley Alcohol and Drugs Service, in consultation with the communities of Bacup and Stacksteads, a support worker was identified as one of the main needs for the area.

With a total of 1,155 problem drug users in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, during the period 2001-2002 the scheme is seen as a way to crack the vicious cycle.

A police spokesman said: "The area does not have problems which are any worse than any other areas in the country, but the fact that Rossendale has been identified to have a drugs and alcohol support worker can only go towards helping in the fight against crime."

It is thought Rossendale is the only Sure Start catchment area to have identified a need for such a service through community consultation.

Laura is hoping that once her role is established, the scheme can be used as a launch pad for other East Lancashire areas.

Laura said: "It's all about helping those people who want to be helped. We have a lot to offer in terms of advice, rehabilitating and education which will help the dependency.

"At the moment we are still in the early stages but eventually I hope to be out there in the community helping people in whatever way they need to be helped. I hope that when we are fully operational others will follow in our footsteps and we can provide a service that covers all areas."

Working in the community alongside other agencies, including the police and local education centres, the aim is to tackle drugs and alcohol together by effective action, including law enforcement, accessible treatment and with a new emphasis on education and prevention.

The aim is to increase the safety of communities from drug and alcohol-related crime.

It is also hoped to reduce the health risks and other damage relating to drug and alcohol misuse.

Laura will be working with families through individual support referrals to treatments services.

Laura, who started in December, has been establishing herself in the area and aims to set up a dedicated drop-in-centre to give people a base.

After working with emotionally and disturbed children and abused women in Pendle, she said: "We all need help when we hit major problems in our lives and my role is to give hope, advice support to anyone who needs help to overcome their problems and regain control of their lives."