Home Office Minister for Drugs, Caroline Flint, arrived in the region yesterday to see for herself how the war on drugs is paying off.

Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar and Cleveland councils are among 30 local authorities chosen to drive forward a new drugs initiative working with drug action teams.

Speaking from the Eclipse Drug Action Centre, in Middlesbrough, Ms Flint said: "Drugs can have a devastating effect on children.

"The Government recently set out a comprehensive strategy to help these vulnerable young people and this announcement shows we want to test what works best and share effective practices across the country.

"These 30 chosen local authorities will act as leaders for the whole programme."

The minister chatted with a group of teenagers who work with the Eclipse programme.

Ms Flint was among a delegation of 300 people at a Home Office event in Sunderland yesterday to identify future challenges and build on past successes.

The event, one of six across the country, heard from medical and law enforcement experts as well as a former drug-user from North Tyneside.

The 30-year-old, who wants only to be known as Claire, told the gathering how she had started taking drugs at the age of 16, starting with Ecstasy. A life of crime to fund her habit led to a prison sentence.

But with a story of hope for other drug-users, Claire now works with the North Tyneside Drug Action Team.

Supporting the roadshows, Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "These events bring together all the key people who can make a difference in their region. While many work in different areas, they all share a common goal."