DOCTORS in Malvern have played a major part in reducing drug-related crime in the area.

The reduction coincides with the expansion of a clinic designed to put heroin addicts back in control of their lives.

The Shared Care Drug Misuse Clinic at Barnards Green's Court Road surgery has been pinpointed as partly responsible for the 50 per cent decrease in drug-related crime.

Chris Brazil, community drug team leader, said the approach was having a positive impact.

But he added that he wanted more GPs in Worcestershire to be involved.

Figures released by Malvern Hills District Council Community Safety Partnership showed drug-related crime had fallen 53.9 per cent over the past three years.

The clinic was established by retired GP David Payler and developed by Dr James Mather.

In the past three years it has expanded from helping just three patients to working with 32.

"Essentially, what we do is provide replacement medication - methadone - for people who want to control their drug use," said Dr Mather.

"We provide that care along with the community drug team, which comes to the practice two days a week."

The service aims to stabilise the lives of heroin addicts so that their addiction can be dealt with without resorting to stealing to fund a habit that can cost £250 a week.

"Many of the people we see are young men," added Dr Mather.

"But there are one or two women who have become pregnant and are on drugs. Their care is important and they need input.

"The clinic is the only one in the area to help addicts stabilise a habit, which, in many cases, has taken hold of their lives."

Jon Shorrock, a primary care GP liaison drug worker who visits the clinic twice a week, said that while methadone would not cure an addict, it was longer lasting than heroin and could be taken just once a day.

This controlled use meant addicts could reorganise their lives and seek employment.