YOUNGSTERS are more likely to be under the influence of drugs than drink when they get behind the wheel in East Lancashire, police revealed today.

Officers say the problem -- particularly bad in towns with a busy nightlife such as Burnley, Blackburn and Accrington -- is set to increase as more teenagers and young adults drive after taking recreational drugs.

And they welcomed moves by Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans to set up an education programme including leaflets which would tell drivers how long drugs stay in the bloodstream.

The leaflets would be distributed with tax disc renewal notices and driving licence applications. Home Office figures show a national year-on-year rise in the number of accidents on the roads caused by drug drivers -- figures which now outstrip those for drink driving among 17 to 25-year-olds. Latest figures show that 18 per cent of young people involved in fatal accidents had taken drugs. Chief Inspector Ian Bell, of Lancashire Police, said local figures mirrored the national trend. He said the problem had only taken off in recent months but was causing increasing concern.

He said places like Burnley which have a busy nightlife that attracts 17 to 25-year-olds are particular hotspots.

He added: "This is very much an emerging issue which has only really been recognised as a problem in recent months. Research by the Home Office shows drug-driving among the younger age group of drivers is now exceeding drink-driving. "Whereas once people went out drink driving they now take recreational drugs. The problem is that many young people don't understand the effects or the consequences of taking drugs before driving. Drugs such as cannabis have been found in the bloodstream of people involved in fatal accidents." He added: "The problem is with the age group. Young people are driving to places like Blackburn which have a lot of nightclubs and taking drugs and driving home."

One of the problems police have in clamping down on drug-driving is in testing drivers for illegal drugs. Even if officers suspect a driver is under the influence of drugs they still have to test for drugs in the bloodstream once a suspect has been arrested. There is no one piece of equipment like a breathalyser police can use to test for drugs.

Two years ago Lancashire Police ran trials to try to develop an instrument which could be used to test for illegal drugs on the roadside.

Although the trials were inconclusive police and the Home Office are continuing to try to develop either a sweat or saliva test which would show drivers had taken drugs.

Home Office Minister Charles Clarke welcomed Mr Evans' proposals saying he would look into the introduction of such a system.

Mr Evans also said that the Highway Code should be updated to include information about the dangers of driving on drugs and that it should be compulsory for all those taking a driving test to know how long drugs stayed in the bloodstream.

Chief Insp Bell added: "Any publicity, education or advice that can be given to the 17-25 age group would obviously be strongly supported."

Mr Evans said: "I am certain that if more people knew that they were driving with illegal drugs in their bloodstream then they definitely would not drive in the first place. I am glad the Minister has agreed to look into my initial proposal.