The Criminal Justice Interventions Programme is to be brought in to Newcastle, Sunderland, Stockton and Hartlepool.

The scheme has been successfully trialled in other areas of England.

It targets offenders committing crimes to fund their drug habit, by testing them when charged by police.

They are then passed on to drug referral workers while in police custody and then guided into treatment.

'Destructive cycle'

Evidence shows that targeting offenders at all points in the criminal justice system works to reduce re-offending and dependence on drugs.

The �3m programme will be introduced to Tyneside, Wearside and Teesside through relevant Drug Action Teams from April 2004.

Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said: "The Criminal Justice Interventions Programme aims to cut the destructive cycle of drugs and crime and stop the "revolving door" between offending and prison.

"Everybody in Newcastle, Sunderland, Stockton and Hartlepool wins.

"Drug users get help through treatment and support, and communities suffer less from the scourge of drug-related crime."

Home Secretary, David Blunkett, added: "Drugs cause havoc to communities, tear families apart and ruin individuals' life chances.

"From April next year the North East will get more help to tackle the scourge of drugs."