Whilst those of us who have to WORK for a living tighten our belts......

Drug addicts are offered beauty treatment at £400,000 cost to taxpayer

The beauty treatments are being offered as an incentive for those dependent on drugs or alcohol to use the Evolve centre, in Blackburn, Lancs.

Yoga and Tai Chi classes are also available along with counselling and "life skills" training for those in need.

The scheme, launched while people are having to cut back on luxuries because of the economic downturn, has been branded a waste of money by the Taxpayers' Alliance.

It is housed in a former textile museum which was closed by the local council's ruling Labour group two years ago, despite protests, to save 323,000 pounds a year.

The Evolve centre, which does not provide medical treatment such as methadone, opened this week with 13 members of staff and aims to attract around 40 people a month.

It is funded by the Government through contributions from the Department for Work and Pensions and the local drug and alcohol reduction team.

Jerry Sutton, chief executive of voluntary agency Inward House, which is running Evolve, said: "If nobody comes through the door it's a waste of money. (No you are wrong it is a waste of money full stop)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has the fourth highest number of problematic drug users per head of population in the north-west England and 25,000 "hazardous" drinkers. (then shut the pubs and off licenses until they can all behave themselves up there)

Mark Wallace, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "It is totally wrong that while taxpayers are cutting back their own luxuries, their money is being spent on massages for drug addicts." (Here Here)

Illicit drug use will not be tolerated at the centre which opens five evenings a week. It also has a computer suite, a "training kitchen" and interview rooms for agencies such as Jobcentre Plus. (Oooh big deal)

Kate Hollern, the council's Labour group leader, said: "My understanding was that they were trying to help people get off drugs but I' not sure whether offering them massages is the answer." (then why did the Circus Labour majority of Councellors allow it to happen then!)

We feel tax payer funded "Massacres" of Drug Addicts and Alcoholics would be a far more popular option the local busy bodies missed a trick there!