A TOTAL of 247 teenagers across Kirklees have sought expert help to stop them getting hooked on drugs.

All have benefited from a confidential helpline service, which has been running in high schools.

Now many others will be offered the advice as the confidential service HELP is rolled out across all 25 high schools in Kirklees, its six pupil referral units, two special schools and three colleges.

Chris Thornton, Help's project manager, said: "Some want to experiment.

"But many are unaware of the serious mental health and physical problems of substance misuse."

Clr Jim Dodds, responsible for education and children's services on Kirklees Council's Cabinet, said: "We have to make young people aware of the dangers.

"We do realise there is a drugs problem, although it is no worse in Kirklees than other areas, and we want to deter young people. We want to help."