The centre is to become a model for crack treatment in Europe

The Luther Street Medical Centre will take part in Europe's largest research study on treating abusers of the drug.

The clinic has been chosen by the government as one of 11 pilot sites for the treatment of drug users in the UK.

It currently offers services for the city's homeless, including a detox project and a needle exchange.

The Department of Health recently pledged �500m to fight drug abuse in 37 towns and cities.

'Chaotic lifestyles'

Oxford, along with Reading and Slough, in Berkshire, were among those pinpointed as areas affected by crack cocaine.

Drugs minister Bob Ainsworth said: "People living in the areas we identified already know crack is a problem in their community and know only too well the crime that crack brings with it.

"Crack addicts live chaotic lifestyles, they commit crimes and crack houses bring fear and degradation to neighbourhoods."

Some 58,000 people in Britain had used crack in the last year, according to statistics for 2002.