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

The reduction of more than 50 per cent coincides with an expansion of the Shared Care Drug Misuse clinic at Malvern's Court Road Surgery, which helps put heroin addicts back in control of their lives.

Leader of the Community Drug Team Chris Brazil said the positive approach was having a beneficial impact on crime in the area.

"We're looking to encourage more GPs in Worcestershire to get involved," he said.

Figures released by the Malvern Hills District Council Community Safety Partnership show drug-related crime has fallen by 53.9 per cent in the past three years. This is despite an increase in the availability of drugs and a drop in price.

The clinic at Court Road Surgery was established by Dr David Payler, who is now retired, and was developed by Dr James Mather. In the past three to four years it has expanded from helping just three patients to working with 32.

Dr Mather said: "Essentially, what we do is provide replacement medication (methadone) for people who want to control their opiate drug use. We provide that care along with Community Drug Team, who come to the practise for 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," said Dr Mather. "But there are one or two women who have become pregnant 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. Its controlled use means an addict can reorganise their lives and go back to work.

He said: "The service is going to have an impact in crime in the area but the implications go a lot further than that because advice given at the clinic will be passed on to other users."

Drug users, he added, preferred to be treated alongside other members of the community so that they were not labelled as outcasts. He suggested the more humane approach helped ensure their return into the community.