MATT, 22, lives in Kirklees and has been using crack and heroin for the last eight years.

He has been in and out of the courts for years, in a young offenders' institute twice and has done two stretches in Armley Jail in Leeds for thefts from shops and offices.

Matt has tried to quit before, but with the help of the probation team and the skills he has learned from going to the Enhanced Thinking Skills (ETS) programme as part of a community sentence, he hopes to make it last this time.

He said: "I didn't really know what I wanted until I went on ETS.

"But when we did stuff on aims, goals and objectives it really helped me to just open my mind and think about what I wanted to do."

Programmes like ETS use a combination of intensive group work and individual tutoring to help change attitudes and give people a better understanding of their actions and choices.

They are conditions of court orders and not attending can result in re-sentencing.

Matt has to spend 20 hours a week with probation staff, having tests and attending programmes to help with his drug addiction.

He no longer uses drugs and has not re- offended for the last four months.

He is thinking about going to college to study counselling.

He said: "I reckon I could help somebody because of my experience and make them think there's light at the end of the tunnel.

"Now I'm off drugs I feel like a 15-year-old, waiting to grow up again.

"I've been asleep for God knows how long."

NEW figures show the estimated reduction in the number of potential crimes that can result from rehabilitating offenders through community sentences.

The estimates form part of the report, Cracking A Criminal Cycle.

These include:

* Ten future thefts from shops and businesses could be stopped if one shoplifter is rehabilitated.

* Solving a drug addict's addiction can lead to six fewer incidents involving drugs.

* Stopping and rehabilitating one vandal could mean seven fewer instances of criminal damage.

* Reforming a car thief could mean five fewer vehicles being stolen.

* There may be five fewer robbery victims for every robber caught and rehabilitated.

The report was produced in association with James McGuire, professor of clinical psychology at Liverpool University.