MORE than 800 drug addicts are being treated in Bolton, and the vast majority are desperate to kick the habit and reclaim their lives.

The drug is Bolton's biggest scourge and, significantly, the £20 million haul seized by police and customs officers this week included a large quantity of the substance.

Sandie Nesbitt, who heads Bolton's Community Drugs Team, has expressed delight at the drugs seizure.

But she admits: "In the past we have not seen a huge change in supply when there's been a haul of this nature."

Crack cocaine is also on the rise and the haul included this drug too. Mrs Nesbitt believes the reduction in supply could encourage some users to enrol on a treatment programme.

"It is something I encourage," she said.

She added: "The main thing is that a chain has been broken. Heroin is widely available in the town and it appears to be the drug of choice.

"There's a high incidence of injecting as opposed to smoking."

The seizure by police and customs officers in Dover could have one of two effects if it results in driving the price of heroin up.

Drug users may be unable to afford the rise and attempt to withdraw from the substance.

Or they may turn to crime to raise enough money to fund the price increase.

If users opt for the former, then the Community Drugs Team has increased its capacity and has scrapped its waiting list.

Mrs Nesbitt said: "I'm delighted the police have managed to break this ring. An awful lot of police intelligence went into the seizure.

"Officers were even in touch with their colleagues abroad."

The Community Drugs Team can be contacted on 01204 397129.