Officers will team up with drug support groups to highlight the struggle against substance abuse and drug-fuelled crime.

During Tackling Drugs Week, officers will visit schools and have a campaign of radio advertising.

Sniffer dogs will help them catch users in the act, with night-time patrols around pubs and clubs.

Insp Mike Smith, of Northamptonshire Police's Reducing Supply team, said officers aimed to encourage people to come forward with information about dealers.

He said: "Drug use can have a devastating impact on a user and their family, as users steal to fund their habit.

"We want to show people across Northamptonshire that tackling drugs is high priority for us."

During the week, training programmes will bring officers and support workers up to speed with the latest treatment options.

A new textline will allow people send police drug-related tip-offs, by texting 'Drugs' and a message to 88010.

The week will launch at 11.30am on Monday with a special event at Abington Street mobile police station in Northampton.

Police will join community workers and specialist drugs officers, to talk and give out information.

Family Support Link chief executive Sandra McDermott, who lives in Wellingborough will be there to hand out leaflets.

She set up the charity after witnessing a family member's 10-year battle against drugs.

She said: "Drug use affects the whole family.

"You're cut off from your friends and the community and it's a very lonely place."

"Brothers and sisters of drug users often get bullied and abused at school.

"As a charity, we deal with six or seven-year-olds and we've got clients who are over 60."

Drugs support worker Chris Curley, from Northampton-based drop in centre Off The Hook, will be there to hand out leaflets

He said: "People do not generally understand drug services.

"I think it is a very good thing the police are working with agencies such as ourselves."