AS MILLIONS of teenagers gear up for the biggest party of 2001 on New Year's Eve, Worcestershire youngsters are being warned to stop and think before they take illegal drugs.

A new hard-hitting Government campaign, launched today, asks 11 to 18-year-olds to consider the suffering and long-term medical problems drug abuse can bring.

Instead of relying on friends' advice, urban myths or experimenting with substances themselves, youngsters are being urged to call the National Drugs Helpline to get the facts.

The £1.5m national campaign, which hit the streets this morning with radio and magazine advertisements supported by posters in nightclubs and colleges, has been launched in the wake of high-profile ecstasy deaths including Leah Betts and Worcestershire girl Anita Gair. She died in hospital after taking the drug in a Worcester nightspot.

This year, two years on from Anita's death, Worcestershire's courts dealt with a 15-year-old girl caught pedalling class A drugs in a city nightclub.

Clubbers in another city establishment were caught with ecstasy and one teenage drug dealer from Worcester was given a four-year jail sentence when he was found carrying nearly 200 ecstasy tablets worth up to £13,000.

Since 1988, 50 to 100 deaths nationally have been linked with the so-called "recreational drug".

Latest estimates say 220,000 16 to 19-year-olds in England take Class A drugs, rising to 675,000 when all drugs are taken into account. Campaign organisers warned amphetamines, like speed, while giving an instant buzz, could cause brain haemorrhages and would slowly rot users' spinal columns.

Cocaine users, including ex-Eastenders actress Daniella Westbrook, who lost part of her nose from snorting the drug, could find their stomach walls dissolving.

"The pressure on young people in Worcestershire to experiment with drugs is enormous," said Peter Johnson, Drug Prevention Advisory Service regional manager.

"But we need to remember the majority of young people don't take drugs. We need to help young people make good, informed decisions over the holiday season - I want them to get the facts on drug use."

Last year the confidential National Drugs Helpline took 275,000 calls from youngsters asking for help and advice. The average caller was aged just 16.

It can be reached on 0800 776600.