The therapy is to help drug addicts fight their cravings

People on Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs) are being offered the therapy to try to kick the habit which is linked to their offending.

Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles into particular parts of the body to treat and prevent disease.

Gwent Probation Service, who are running the programme said it was proving to be very successful.

It is good because if the craving is curbed, then offending which is carried out in order to feed the habit is also curbed Jane Coates, Gwent Probation Service

Chief officer for the service in Gwent, Jane Coates said: "It is one element in a whole bag of different interventions which are offered as part of the DTTO programme.

"And from what we have seen it is a very effective method of helping to stop the drug craving.

"It is good because if the craving is curbed, then offending which is carried out in order to feed the habit is also curbed."

The type of acupuncture used is called auricular and is concentrated on the ear.

It is part of a programme given to offenders who have signed up to a DTTO after committing crimes because of their drug addiction.

As part of the programme, the offenders are given random drug tests as well as having to attend regular court hearings.

The offender also participates in a number of courses to address their offending and drug behaviour.

"Anxious existence"

Gareth Hopkins who runs the DTTO centre in Newport said that using acupuncture was an effective way of helping addicts.

"Many people, especially those on heroin, lead a very anxious existence," he said.

"Heroin is a depressant and it numbs the feelings and emotions.

"As people come off it, they start experiencing normal feelings again and this can be quite distressing because they don't know how to deal with it.

"But by using methods such as acupuncture and other things like yoga and massage, it gives them a sense of relaxation and helps them.

"We have had very good feedback on this and it seems to work," he added.

Currently there are 120 people on DTTOs in the Gwent area.