THE Government's failure to grasp the gravity of Chard's drug problem and lack of help for addicts is about to be challenged by South Somerset MP David Laws.

He is furious that Caroline Flint MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Home Affairs, has told him in a letter that "no-one who needs it will be denied treatment".

In fact, the Somerset Drug Service has run out of funds and waiting times for rehabilitation treatment is between six and nine months.

Mr Laws had asked the Government to step in and provide extra cash so drug addicts seeking help can receive it straight away - while they've got the will to succeed.