DRUGS, and the constant battle against their use, are rarely out of the headlines.

It is a battle being waged in every village, town and street and supported whole-heartedly by worried parents and families.

Our lead story today will be music to the ears of these concerned people.

The Government is putting its money where its mouth is and has come up with cash to fund a heightened police presence to tackle street crime and drug dealing.

Over the two counties, this adds up to about £500,000 being pumped in to distribute to groups who run front line schemes aimed at cutting drug use and abuse.

The money is a slice of the Home Office's Communities Against Action fund.

What may be a revelation to some is the fact that the Wychavon area (£80,500) receives more cash than Worcester city (£79,400). And Herefordshire, at £116,000, is well ahead in the cash stakes.

While this paper does not want to appear ungrateful, we would have thought that with the well-documented, high-profile, drug-related crime problems in Worcester, more cash may have been forthcoming.

The Home Office spokesman says, in making the awards: "Class A drugs and crime are clearly linked.

"Tackling them both is key to ending the cycle of drug dependency and criminal activity."

This being the case, we would have thought that £79,400 is a drop in the drug battle ocean.

It will be a useful weapon in the fight, but what we need are a few reinforcements to give the support agencies the maximum chance of success.