A DRUGS and alcohol rehabilitation centre could be built in Pontypool. The centre would offer advice, support and counselling to addicts and their families on a non-residential basis.

A report to councillors says there are "significant numbers of people experiencing substance misuse in the Torfaen area".

More than 50 people are currently receiving help for drug addiction in the borough, with 37 of those on heroin substitutes such as methodone. 135 are being counselled for alcohol abuse. But the report says there are likely to be more people in Torfaen with substance abuse problems who haven't sought help.

Torfaen is currently alone in Gwent in not having such a base. Local people have to travel to Newport or Abergavenny for help and advice. The base would most likely be built near the centre of Pontypool.

It would be used by various agencies working to control substance abuse. Agencies currently providing services for users include the Gwent Substance Misuse Service, Gwent Alcohol Project, Drugaid and Communities Against Drugs.

It would be funded by National Assembly money and should cost the council nothing. Councillor Gwyneira Clark, executive member for housing, said: "Although we are only in the early stages of looking at options, it is widely recognised that misuse of alcohol or illegal substances not only damages individual health and wellbeing, but also has a detrimental effect on communities.

"A substance misuse base would be one way of tackling some of these problems."