POLICE on Teesside are launching high-profile patrols to drive out dealers who are offering hard drugs to withdrawal addicts in exchange for their medication.

Dealers from throughout the area are going to the Lawson Street Medical Centre in Stockton to get their hands on Subutex pills.

The £2 pills, which block the effects of heroin, are then sold on the prison black market for up to £70 each.

The tablets can be snorted like cocaine and produce similar effects to heroin.

Police confirmed they had information about dealers from outside the town.

Detective Chief Inspector Shane Sellers, crime manager for Stockton Police, said: "Clearly, we have identified a number of incidents involving individuals who obtain prescription drugs and who appear to be leaving the medical centre to pass drugs on to others.

"We are going to be carrying out overt policing and stop-checks in and around the area."

Holme House Prison bosses admit there are problems keeping Subutex out of the building.

Tim Brittain, prison spokesman, said: "We recognise that Subutex is a desirable drug to some prisoners, but we do all we can through our drug strategy to prevent prisoners wanting drugs and getting hold of them."

"We do not minimise the difficulty in fully controlling the flow of these drugs into the prison, but there will be increased vigilance."

Stockton Town Centre Residents' Forum member Charlie Templeman lives near the medical centre.

He said: "Older people won't use the pharmacy because they feel frightened."