Kentonline readers have reacted angrily to the news drugs workers are handing out straws to addicts to help them snort cocaine.

The move is intended to stop cocaine users rolling up bank notes and spreading disease.

The Maidstone-based Kent Drug and Alcohol Action Team, (KDAAT), responsible for the county’s drug treatment services, commissioned drugs charity KCA to make the straws or notes.

The message on them reads: “Evidence suggests that the sharing of cocaine straws is a factor in the transmission of Hepatitis C. Reduce your chances of catching Hep C by using one of these single use notes instead of a bank note.”

But our readers have had a mixed reaction to the move.

Kel of Chatham said: “What next? Child porn handed out to paedos so they don't abduct and abuse children? Free booze for alcoholics so they don't hit the meths instead? Doors of jewellers left open perhaps, so that robbers don't cut themselves on the glass when they smash it to get in? What a joke!”

A correspondent, named only as TW of east Kent, said: “I was refused a bus pass because I am not blind enough.

“However they issued a bus pass to someone this week in Dover, who is a habitual thief and junkie with perfect vision. Crazy world!”

Matt White, of Folkestone, described the move simply as “disgusting”.

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But Kel of Chatham, hit back at the comment, saying: “Mr White, why is it disgusting to stop the spread of disease?

“This will protect non-users as well. And why should we not give users the chance to remain healthier?

“It will probably save the NHS some money (and therefore your taxes) by reducing the numbers of awful cases of diseases they have to treat. What's digusting is your attitude- a simple solution to a dangerous problem, and you seem to be against it.”

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