The number of drug addicts in Brighton and Hove is believed to be on a par with major inner cities.

Preliminary findings in a study, carried out by the Imperial College in London, revealed there are about 2,300 injecting adult drugs users in the city.

Health bosses believe the actual number is probably much higher.

The study is still ongoing with the final report due to be released later this year but early indications show the number of addicts is similar to those living in inner London and Liverpool.

These cities have populations of almost three million and 500,000 respectively compared to Brighton and Hove's 250,000 residents.

The city was named as the drugs death capital of the UK last October in a report published by the European Centre for Addiction Studies.

The report showed the city had a drugs death rate of 28 per 100,000 of the population over the age of 16, which averaged out to about one drug-related death a week.

Early findings in the new study also challenge the general belief the city has problems because it tends to attract many drug addicts.

Simon Scott, the lead commissioner for substance misuse at Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "It is a real problem we have in Brighton and Hove.

"When we have asked users how long they have been an addict and how long they have lived in Brighton, it turns out many have lived in the city longer than they have been an addict.

"Therefore the usual explanation that the numbers are caused by drifters doesn't seem to be holding up. It is more of a home-grown issue.

"We are still trying to establish how bad it is compared to other areas, which is why we have linked with this study. These are still only early findings."

A PCT spokesman said: "The NHS, council and police are working closely together to tackle drug use.

"The total budget for drugs services for 2003/04 is £3.1million, a rise of 9.8 per cent on the previous year, with about 100 front-line staff, such as nurses, social workers, doctors, psychiatrists, counsellors and drug workers, working with users.

"Brighton and Hove is pioneering new ways of tackling this problem. It has been selected as a national pilot site for crack cocaine treatment and the National Treatment Agency has rated the city's action plan as 'excellent'.

"The risks of taking class-A drugs cannot be over-emphasised. The fact so many people may be dying from drug use should act as a warning to everyone."

A new service dedicated to supporting young people with drug and alcohol problems has recently been established in the city.

Its aim is to provide medical help, counselling and advice.

It also works on prevention by targeting young people who may be vulnerable and joining forces with schools to help train teachers to spot signs of potential problems.

If children are helped at a young age, it is hoped they will not grow up to become addicts and get into a downward spiral of drugs, crime, homelessness and death.

A dedicated substance misuse nurse is also based at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton to watch out for people showing signs of problems and to offer them help and support.

Police in the city are also continuously targeting drug dealers as part of a drive to reduce drug-related crimes and deaths.