There is thought to be 800 addicts in Jersey

The money would be used for a new drug, Subutex, which it is hoped will take over from the use of methadone as the main form of treatment.

The new drug has been on trial in the island for a year. It has been used to treat addicts in Britain for three years, and in France for about 10.

The island has an estimated 800 people with a heroin addiction.

Doctor Michael Marks, who sees most of the heroin addicts in Jersey that come forward for help, said the new medication is a vast improvement in helping them.

The only stumbling block that remains is getting the extra funding approved.

This depends on the fate of the new crime and anti-social behaviour programme, Building a Safer Society, which was passed in the States last week but still needs to secure its financial future.