DRUG users in Bolton are to make a series of hard-hitting short films to put school children in the picture about the issue.

Support group Step by Step, which helps drug users conquer the problem, has been awarded £13,000 from independent charity DrugScope for the pioneering project.

A series of five films will examine the drugs issue from different perspectives.

One film will examine the lifestyles of current drug users who use the service based at White Lion Brow, off Marsden Road in the town centre.

Further instalments will focus on young people's attitudes to drugs, the views of those working within the criminal justice system, the problem of drug use within the town's ethnic minority community and parents' feelings about substance abuse.

Step by Step project manager GerardThomas said that the films, being made in association with Bolton production company Bolton Community Video, would not make their point in a heavy-handed way.

He said: "We want the films to be used as an educational research tool so the underlying message is anti-drugs but we are going to do that through exploring people's lifestyles.

"This is quite an imaginative approach. DrugScope obviously thought it was a good project because drugs are such an issue within Bolton.

"There will also be a benefit for the drug users who are producing the film. It will boost their self esteem and hopefully give them more confidence to tackle some of the issues that they face."

The films, which are expected to take nine months to complete, will enable Bolton schools to add a poignant and vivid illustration to lessons about drugs. It is also planned to make the documentaries available to watch on the internet.

Step by Step would like to hear from more individuals whose lives have been touched by drugs. The group can be contacted on 382448.