HEROIN users are to be offered lessons on how to give first aid to overdose victims in an attempt by paramedics to reduce the numbers of addicts who are dying.

Greater Manchester Ambulance Service says it is not condoning drug taking but wants to stop the high numbers of deaths in the town each year.

Paramedics across the region, including Bolton, currently deal with more than 1,100 heroin and methadone overdoses each year and around 100 of these are fatal.

Bolton figures are not kept but a new system is being drawn up between the Royal Bolton Hospital's A&E department and the council's Drug Action Team to trace people who overdose and survive so that they can take part in the special lessons.

GMAS says many deaths are avoidable if people know what to do when things go wrong.

Paramedic Salman Desai is drawing up a training package working closely with Bolton's Drug Action Team to help drug users, their friends and family learn vital SOS skills.

Sandie Nesbitt, of the Bolton Drug Action Team, said: "Figures don't always tell us a true picture of what is going on. That is why we are developing a better system of communication between A&E and the team."

The newly-launched GMAS scheme is aimed at the 2,500 injecting drug users in Bolton and hopes to dispel myths and misinformation within the drug taking community.

GMAS says many people do the wrong thing when a drug user collapses.

Salman added: "There are a lot of myths around about things they can do to help that can actually cause more harm than good.

"Some users think a cold bath can help when in fact it can be very dangerous, running the risk of drowning or hypothermia."

In the coming weeks drug takers will be invited to attend the special training sessions, which will take place in community venues across the town, and will be shown life-saving skills using mannequins to teach mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and other techniques.

The ambulance service recently launched a scheme where they have refused to shop drug takers to the police which has increased the number of people ringing 999 if they suspect their friend is in danger, without fear of repercussion.

Sandie Nesbitt added: "This has had a massive effect and is working well in Bolton. People are phoning 999 knowing that they will not get in trouble with the police."

GMAS Chief Executive, John Burnside, said: "In an ideal world, GMAS would not be faced with the problem of treating drug users, but unfortunately it is an issue our crews have to deal with on a daily basis.

"Although we do not condone drug abuse, our job is to help save lives and so we believe it is extremely important to educate users and their friends and families in what to do when something goes wrong."