But they are worried that there will not be enough resources on the ground to back its ambitious targets.

The charity Turning Point said the targets outlined in anti-drugs coordinator Keith Hellawell's first annual report showed "a dramatic commitment to cutting back the use of drugs in all sectors of our community".

It was particularly pleased with the targeting of young people.

But it raised concerns that the money promised by the government would not be enough to tackling the growing problem of drug misuse among the young.

Research shows heroin use is rising across the country and it is being taken by younger and younger children.

Ted Unsworth, chief executive of Turning Point, said: "We should realise that drug trends appear to be moving in the opposite direction to a reduction which makes solving the problem harder.

"Drug-related offending appears to be on the increase and more and more young people are using them at an ever earlier age."

He called for the government to be "realistic" about its targets and questioned whether treatment programmes could be reached without substantial extra investment.

Young people

The government says it has set aside �217m for its drugs programme, but this is divided up between different departments, including education, prevention, treatment and crime-fighting.

Turning Point says research suggests almost half of young people try drugs at some stage in their lives and 20% of these become regular drug users.

It adds that there is strong evidence that people who start taking drugs at a young age suffer serious health problems in later life.

The Standing Conference on Drug Abuse (Scoda) welcomed Mr Hellawell's emphasis on educating children and his recognition that residential treatment services face severe funding difficulties.

But it said that "disappointingly" the report offered no long-term funding solution.

"The goverment will be judged on its success in meeting the brave targets set by its advisor, but local agencies will be responsible for implementation on the ground," said chief executive Roger Howard.

"They will not only need adequate resources to employ more properly trained staff, but constant support to provide the infrastructure necessary for them to be able to carry out the work required of them."

'Most humane option'

The National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders said the government targets for reducing drug misuse represented "the most significant package of measures to divert offenders from crime announced in the last decade".

It said there was overwhelming evidence of the links between drugs and crime.

"Getting drug dependent offenders into treatment programmes is by far the most effective option as well as the most humane," said director of policy Paul Cavadino.

He said treatment referral schemes soon paid for themselves.

It is estimated that for every �1 spent on treatment, �3 is saved in drug-related crime.

However, Mr Cavadino said more money needed to be put into resourcing drug agencies.