Addicts spend around �15,000 a year on their habit

The figures come jointly from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire police.

Officers say addicts can steal up to �50,000 worth of goods to fund their habits.

In Nottinghamshire alone, it is estimated there are 6,000 crack cocaine and heroin addicts.

Drug testing

Senior officers say it is the biggest challenge facing the force and by far the biggest cause of crime.

Studies suggest heroin addicts spend about �15,000 a year to maintain their supplies and crack addicts probably spend more.

Nottinghamshire Police Deputy Chief Constable Howard Roberts admitted the figures are staggering.

He said; "Its a substantial figure. We estimate nearly �100m of crime in Nottinghamshire is committed by drug-fuelled offenders.

"Take the city of Nottingham alone. We have a drug testing pilot there and so far 2,000 people have tested positive for heroin and crack cocaine."

Positive changes

In Derby, drug centres are trying to give addicts treatment as soon as they ask for it, rather than the weeks of waiting which is common elsewhere.

The city's four needle exchanges give out about 30,000 needles a month.

Adrian Evans from the Derbyshire Drug Market Project feels Derby is a national example of how drug support can help users kick the habit.

He said: "It is different because we have an additional 15 drug workers across the city in Derby and we have got six new clinics.

"People can walk in off the street and get treatment and this is going to make a big difference to drug users who want to change their lifestyle.