IN THE wake of teenager Jamer Tustin's death, an urgent call has gone out to young Vale people to give up drugs.

Jamer was just 16 when he died alone in a flat in Evesham before Christmas.

He was one of a group of friends whose lives revolved around drug taking.

Police, the county's social service and education departments, the health authority, the probation service and several charities are working flat out to deter youngsters from ruining their lives.

There are currently 4,000 clients regularly using the needle exchange units in south Worcestershire alone, hooked on hard drugs such as heroin.

However cannabis and ecstasy - so called soft drugs - are so easy to obtain that schoolchildren are using them.

Jamer's friends, whose ages range from 14 to 17, are a testament to that.

They come from Evesham and Badsey and thought the world of him. Months before Jamer died he and a friend found themselves homeless.

They lived with friends for a while, then slept rough, and eventually the pair were found flats by Social Services.

Jamer was being visited by social workers and helped with money for food by a local charity, but sadly their efforts failed to save him from himself. He made the fatal step from soft to hard drugs and killed himself.

Despite Jamer's death his friends still take ecstasy and cannabis.

A 17-year-old, we'll call her Olivia, said: "We don't take them so much now - only on special occasions."

"Jamer was just great, he loved everybody and was so kind.

"He lived for ecstasy, cannabis, and drum and bass music." another girl, who we've called Mary, said: "He was always smiling."

Oliva recalled a day last August when she met Jamer and a whole load of other youngsters high on drugs and alcohol in Abbey Park.

Olivia, whose mother died when she was young and was later put in care, said: "One lot of kids from one school were tottering around drunk listening to the Spice Girls and we were listening to drum and base music popping e's - we had a lovely time in the sunshine.

"Jamer could bosh (swallow) five ecstasy tables at a time without it hardly affecting him." The two girls described their suppliers as "really nice guys who they trust".

They said they lived in nice homes with their families and used the profit from peddling drugs to top up their salaries.

She said: "They look after us and always test the drugs on themselves to make sure they are safe and show us how to use them properly."

The drug scene in Evesham is no different from any other town in the country.

In Evesham, Turning Point offers a confidential needle exchange service based at the town's community hospital.

Turning Point manager, Richard Allsup said: "We are committed to helping people to either stop or reduce the harm as a consequence of their drug use.

"We want needle exchange people to take care of themselves and others.

"This also provides a bridge to our ultimate aim of persuading people to give up drugs altogether."

Mr Allsup said pure heroin did very little physical damage to the body but had a strong psychological power.

He said: "People will do anything to get it then, while they are high, anything can happen to them, or they can be harmed by needle infection. "

Then there is the danger of adulterated drugs which could kill instantly - some are mixed with talcum power, cleaning chemicals, Vim and even brick dust.

Head of Children's Services at Worcestershire Social Services Department, Avriel Reader said: "We are very concerned about the level of drug taking in Evesham and elsewhere and are doing our utmost liaising with other agencies to find ways to help young people to see the seriousness of drug taking.

"Jamer's death has brought it into stark relief. Young people find themselves very seriously affected without realising what they are getting themselves into."

Head of Evesham High School, David Kelly, said: "Jamer was on our school roll in name only. He had not been attending school regularly since the age of 13. We regret deeply what befell Jamer."

Evesham's community beat manager, Paul Adams said: "To a growing number of young people drug-taking does not carry the stigma it once did - it is regarded as acceptable.

"Through raids, intelligence-led policing and stop checks the police are working hard and with success to disrupt those who seek to destroy other people's lives.

"We also run an education campaign to prevent young people from being drawn into the drugs culture through the Star Programme delivered to 11-year-olds.

"It is important to remember though that drug abuse in our communities cannot be tackled by the police alone.

"Various organisations are playing their part but one of the most important tools in fighting drugs is information - no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

"Along with the information we already have, you could provide the one piece that helps take another dealer off the streets."

People with information about drug-dealing are urged to contact the police on 01905 723888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 for anonymity.