THE battle against drug abuse in North Yorkshire has taken a major step forward since the formation of a specialist squad six months ago.

Since last October, the number of arrests for drug trafficking in the county has shot up by about 300 per cent on the same period in the year before.

And detectives have promised to press ahead and stifle drug availability by putting even more pressure on the dealers who spread misery through the county.

The drugs squad was set up following an influx of cash from the Government's crime fighting fund which enabled a specialist team of 20 officers to be formed.

Led by Detective Inspector Ian Wills, it comprises separate units in the county's three police areas, each consisting of a detective sergeant and five constables.

"Their role is primarily targeting drugs dealers in their areas but we get together to tackle those operating on a wider basis," said Det Insp Wills yesterday.

Between October and January the squad was responsible for 65 class A drug trafficking arrests - 47 for heroin, nine for crack cocaine and nine for ecstasy.

There were also 21 arrests made for supplying class B drugs.

In the course of the arrests, about £18,000 in cash was seized and, as a result of the operations, police are looking at seizing assets worth about £150,000.

Arrests were also made for burglary, theft and handling stolen goods - all resulting from the drug scene.

DI Wills said police were anxious to stop people becoming addicts by giving them advice and information, as ignorance was the cause of many becoming addicts.

"Drugs are often a reaction to the wretched lives some people live," he said.

"We have to reduce the dependence of people on drugs".

Police are putting emphasis on treatment of drug takers because jailing them can often have little impact.

They offer them treatment and a guiding hand, but if they continue to commit offences they are prosecuted.