WITH its sandy beach, candy floss stalls and saucy postcard stands, Weymouth seems a world away from seedy inner city drug culture.

The dealers may not lurk on street corners but they're certainly out there.

Almost any kind of drug can be purchased and if it's not available right away, it can be obtained in a matter of hours.

"It used to be that you had to be in a certain group to be part of the drug scene but they're so available now anyone can be, whether you're from a big town or a small village," says Chris Snelling who heads the Dorset Drug and Alcohol Advisory Service (DDAAS).

Different drugs have different effects and people take them for all sorts of reasons - to feel confident, excited, to relax, feel happy or perhaps to deal with a situation.

Mr Snelling added: "It's human nature to find ways of getting out of a situation and for many people that may involve using a chemical. For many the gateway is drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis.

"Alcohol is the legal drug which we cannot ignore because we see more people with problems associated with drink than anything else.

"When it comes to illegal drugs, I would say that most people who try them experiment when they are teenagers and move away from them quite rapidly. A few may go on to develop a problem and seek help."

Mr Snelling understands that it is not criminal gangs bringing drugs to Weymouth, but rather a situation where individuals are tasked to collect supplies from Bournemouth or Bristol.

DDAAS is a non-statutory organisation and registered charity which has offices in Weymouth, Bridport, Blandford and Swanage. It offers a drop-in service where people, including relatives of addicts, can get advice and support.

There's also an after-care programme which is one of the most important stages of an addict's recovery. It is run in association with the Clean Connections service which aims to help former users become part of the community and regain their life.

DDAAS also runs an arrest referral service where workers visit people in custody and at courts to help with any drug or alcohol-related issues, and employs outreach workers who visit young people on the street, in schools and at youth clubs.

Mr Snelling says: "Drugs and alcohol are part of our society and they're not going away so there desperately needs to be more understanding of the problems. The more people that are aware and can discuss the issue there's more chance of tackling it.

"In schools it's no use saying that drugs kill because youngsters can see people taking drugs around them and they're not dying. When it comes to education we need to send out a message that's sensible which enables young people to make choices."