THE NUMBER of people taking hard drugs in Weymouth is spiralling.

Drug workers told today of a worrying rise in the amount of people turning to heroin and crack cocaine.

The Dorset Drug and Alcohol and Advisory Service (DDAAS), which runs a drop-in for addicts in the town, said it was alarmed at the rising number of people using the drugs.

Police say a true picture of the area's drug scene will not be known until a drug audit is completed next month.

Chris Snelling, executive director of DDAAS, said: "Our figures record the number of people who have used DDAAS services.

"It's not a full picture, because there are many people using who we haven't seen. However it indicates a rising trend in hard drug use."

Figures reveal that the amount of heroin users referred to DDAAS or using the drop-in rose from 161 in 2001/02 to 422 in 2003/04. A total of 22 people sought help after using crack cocaine last year compared to just three in 2001/02.

DDAAS has other offices, but the majority of people are seen in Weymouth.

Mr Snelling said the rise in crack use could be put down to users wanting to try new experiences, just as ecstasy users were now favouring the anaesthetic ketamine.

Heroin users were being tempted to try crack by dealers selling 'starter packs' at a reduced price which contain both heroin and crack (the smokeable form of cocaine), he said.

Mr Snelling said: "Crack is highly addictive and can be made in the kitchen using cocaine and some basic implements.

"It is a stimulant which gives an intense high. The come-down is very low and some people use heroin to mellow them out. In some ways the effects of crack are more unpredictable and users can be physically violent. We've haven't had any experience of it, but it's worrying."

Meanwhile, police say a true extent of the area's drug problem will not be known until a drug audit is complete.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Burkmar of Dorset Police said the county's Drug Action Team drug audit conducted every few years would give agencies a picture of the drug scene.

He stressed that while police were aware of the use and supply of Class A drugs, money-making crime associated with crack use such as handbag theft and cash machine robberies dropped by 18 per cent in western division this year.

He added: "We don't have the crack dens associated with inner cities. It is more likely people are creating their own supply and selling it from houses or public locations."