The Walsall Advertiser is backing a campaign to help establish a drugs crisis centre in the town.

The fledgling pressure group Escape aims to set up the centre, which will provide emergency help and advice for people 24 hours a day.

The project has already been given £1,000 by the Walsall Health Authority but more than £25,000 is needed if the centre is ever to open its doors.

The newspaper has started a petition in support of the centre and Barbara Cooper, who set up Escape, said: “This centre is something that Walsall badly needs to provide people with help 24 hours a day, every day.

“It is a fact that 82 per cent of people arrested in Walsall are committing crimes to fund a drug habit. It is a desperate situation.

“The courts could refer addicts to the centre for help where they can receive tests, professional and expert counselling.”

The newspaper hopes to raise awareness of the need for a drugs crisis centre and the extent of the drugs problem in the town.

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