Knowle West Alcohol and Drugs Service (KWADs) and the Southmead Project both help Bristolians affected by drugs.

But the groups were threatened with closure when their central government funding was transferred to another scheme, the Bristol Drugs Project.

Now it has been decided they will get a share of the �500,000 put aside to combat drug problems in the city.

The agreement means they will receive funding to provide locally-based open access and carer services.

Our focus has had to be on protecting frontline services by making the most use of limited money Cllr Gary Hopkins, Chair of the Safer Bristol Partnership

The Bristol Drugs Project will receive additional money to support its provision of community-based treatment services in other areas of the city.

Councillor Gary Hopkins, Chair of the Safer Bristol Partnership said: "Bristol was faced with tough choices after the national and European funding it receives to provide community-based drug treatment services across the city was cut by a third of a million pounds.

"Our focus has had to be on protecting frontline services by making the most use of limited money.

"This agreement will result in KWADS and the Southmead Project working together under a single management structure, enabling overhead costs to be minimised and frontline drug services to be maximised."

KWADs was set up by local woman Mary Smith 11 years ago after her son was sent to prison for drugs offences.