A STARK cinema advertising campaign warning drug users of the dangers of hepatitis C is launched in the North-East today.

The initiative - Don't Shoot and Share, Spread the Word, Not the Virus - is based on research into the dangers of injecting drugs.

As well as cinema advertising, the campaign will use radio slots and comic strip stories in youth publications to get the message across.

The £230,000 project is jointly funded by the Department of Health, the Home Office and North-East Drug Action Teams (DATs).

David Cliff, Durham and Darlington DAT co-ordinator, said: "I'm very pleased to be managing this project on behalf of the partners.

"My staff are able to draw on considerable campaign experience to deliver what is a unique project.

"The methodology used in ascertaining our approach will, I hope, lead to a very effective campaign for the North-East."