A multi-agency summit has been held in a south Wales valley plagued with drug deaths.

Rhondda MP Chris Bryant organised the meeting with key agencies in his constituency in a bid to address local problems.

Drugs like heroin are now rife in south Wales

Mr Bryant highlighted the growing problems in the Rhondda valley during prime minister's questions last month, urging Tony Blair to commit more resources for a co-ordinated approach to drug abuse.

Six drug-related deaths have occurred in recent weeks in Rhondda and Bridgend, fuelling experts' concerns that problems are reaching epidemic proportions.

Estimates suggest that as many as 12 people a week in the Rhondda Cynon Taff area overdose on heroin.

Meanwhile, the mother of a young drug addict whose funeral was held in Porth this week has appealed for an all-out campaign against drugs.

Coffin

Sheila Chubb's 28-year-old son Darren was one of six to have died from drugs in the county in a fortnight.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales on Friday - just two days after his funeral - Mrs Chubb said she tried to warn other addicts as her son's coffin lay waiting to be buried.

"I had the coffin open and I let all his friends come in and see him to make the point, 'This is what's happened to Darren'," she said.

"I wanted to say, 'Try and get your heads sorted out and get off drugs, and say no to the dealers, because you're all going to end up like this'," she added.

Geraint Davies AM: Summit invite

Mrs Chubb made an appeal for more support for addicts, and claimed that her son had sought help to kick the habit, but had been told it was not immediately available.

Rhondda Cynon Taff Council was invited to take part in Friday's drugs summit, but declined to send a representative.

The council explained it had scheduled a cabinet meeting on the drugs issue next Monday.