TV adverts warn parents of Class A drug dangers

Nexus, which operates the Tyne and Wear Metro, has given over a train to be branded by the drug advisory service.

The train will be branded in the colours of the "Talk to Frank" campaign and feature its national 24-hour helpline number.

The government-backed campaign is aimed at 11 to 19-year-olds.

The campaign allows youngsters to talk candidly with experts who seek to put young people straight on drugs information without the old-fashioned "just say no" approach.

It is operated in Tyne and Wear by 12 local drug action teams, which feed into the national service.

DRUG USE 40,000 registered heroin users in UK 39% of 15-year-olds have taken illegal drugs in past year Class A drugs include heroin and crack cocaine

Since Talk to Frank was launched 12 months ago, more than one million people have visited its website, while the helpline takes around 7,600 calls a week and answers over 2,000 emails a month.

To help raise awareness of the service, it is to be supported by a range of events in the region, including a schools quiz tour and under-18 clubbing night in Newcastle on the last Wednesday of every month.

Chris Maude, information officer for the scheme, said: "Frank can be contacted by anybody, in confidence and for free. It is important to remember that drugs are illegal; talking about them isn't."

Illegal substances

Nexus commercial director Andy Bairstow, added: "We are delighted to be able to provide a Metro train for the Talk to Frank campaign.

"The Metro handles 38 million passenger journeys each year and is widely used by young people in the target age range and so this is a great way to raise awareness."

Backed by the Home Office, Department of Health and education ministers, the campaign provides advice, information and support about all illegal substances, but focuses on Class A drugs.

Figures show one in three people will try an illicit drug in their lifetime and about a third of young people being treated for drug abuse are under 25.

Previous campaigns have failed to influence significant numbers of drug users.

There has been no apparent reduction in hard drug use since 1994.