According to a new study from St George’s, University of London, Brighton recorded a higher proportion of drug related deaths than any other town or city in the UK. Bournemouth and Blackpool were up there near the top of the chart also.

Brighton has developed a reputation as a good place to be homeless and drug dependent – mild weather, good social services and plenty of hostels and soup kitchens.

In a way it has become a victim of its own success and reputation as 'the place to be'. The city also has centres where addicts can seek help and supplies.

Over the last few years the police in Brighton have been working hand in hand with social services to ensure low level addicts are steered toward rehab.

There are challenges associated with rehabilitation particularly in ensuring the prolonged maintenance of a drug free existence when the addict's social group is invariably drug centred. However, by working closely with these vulnerable people social services in Brighton have had some success.

A key benefit of this policy is that it has freed up police time enabling them to concentrate on pursuing the dealers and so cutting off the drug supply This two pronged approach has had significant results.

Over the first two years of the scheme open air drug dealing has slumped 70%. A knock on effect has been noticed in a 18% reduction in crimes such as burglary and robbery. This is not surprising given that a high proportion of theft in the city is due to addicts stealing to fund their addiction.