A POLITICIAN has launched a hard-hitting campaign aimed at stamping out drugs crime in York.

Tory parliamentary hopeful Clive Booth warned drug-related offences were a "tragedy" shaming the city.

If elected, he promised he would ensure no addict would be allowed back into the community unless they kicked their habit.

Mr Booth said the move would make York a "test case", and prove crime would plummet if treatment in rehabilitation centres was set aside for all drug users.

Launching York Against Drugs, he claimed the city's Labour MP Hugh Bayley and the city council's Lib Dem ruling group had not done enough to tackle the problem.

He said: "We need to tell our politicians 'enough is enough' on drugs. It's time York came clean and I intend to sort it.

"Instead of speed cameras and yellow lines, please spend the money on getting drug addicts off the streets and into jobs."

Mr Booth said drug misuse was the root cause of almost every crime reported in the Evening Press. The number of drugs users was "frightening", he said, confirming he was due to meet Chief Superintendent Tim Madgwick, York Police commander, to discuss resources.

The Tory, who heard about problems first hand from residents while canvassing for the Euro elections in east York, said his policy echoed the stance of Shadow Home Secretary David Davis, who said jail was not the best place for drug addicts caught up in crime.

Cash saved on prison costs should be pumped into rehabilitation centres, which Mr Booth said would "make sure there's a place for every person accused of a drug offence".

But Mr Booth's stance met with raised eyebrows from rivals.

City of York Council leader Steve Galloway said he welcomed attempts to further boost crime-fighting resources in York in the wake of the council-backed crackdown on antisocial behaviour, of which drugs was a major focus.

But he said it was a different message from Conservatives who previously sat on the council who looked to cut crime budgets.

He added: "We all know that one of the problems with drug abuse is that rehabilitation programmes are grossly under-funded and there's not enough accommodation to secure the increased number of drug users."

Mr Bayley refused to be drawn into the argument.

He said: "The public get sick of politicians bickering. Why doesn't Mr Booth work with local organisations who are tackling this problem?

"We can debate the policies during the election."

Updated: 08:09 Wednesday, May 26, 2004