COCAINE users can get help to kick the habit - through a self-help website.Bolton is the first town in the country to go live with such a site.The website - http://www.bolton.knowcocaine.co.uk - was launched at a cost of £4,000 after health bosses became concerned about the number of people in the town dying as a result of abusing the drug.

It is aimed at people seeking treatment for the first time and explains ways of controlling, cutting down or stopping cocaine use.

Jan Hutchinson, director of public health at Bolton Primary Care Trust, said: "Cocaine ruins lives, it ruins families and we would urge users, or anyone who knows a user, to access the help that is available."

Cocaine use is increasing nationally and a number of young people in Bolton have died as a result of cocaine use linked with alcohol use.

Sandie Saunders, drug and alcohol strategy manager for Bolton Council's Drug Action Team, said: "We have noticed in the last year that coroners' reports have cited alcohol and cocaine as a factor in deaths.

"When they are mixed in the body they form a lethal combination.

"We know from experience people won't necessarily want to go to the drugs service so we've got to reach people in another way and thought this was the way to do it.

"A lot of people will try to help themselves before going to someone else."

Anyone who is or knows a cocaine user, can access the site, funded by the Department of Health, for information and advice.

Self-help sections help people to assess their cocaine use, see how it impacts on their lives, then aim to make changes.

Christina Ball, operations director at counselling service Drugsline, said: "Every individual suffering from drug or alcohol abuse requires a different approach to tackling their addiction.

"If just one individual is helped by the creation of an online self-help facility, it can be considered a worthwhile undertaking "However, others may prefer confidential telephone or face-to-face counselling."

Face-to-face help, counselling and drug treatment programmes are provided by Bolton's drug services.

By Cherry Thomas, for "The Bolton News" http://www.thisisbolton.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2233897.mostviewed.cocaine_users_get_help_via_a_website.php