A new study is to be conducted to investigate why Oswestry has one of the highest uses of GHB in the country.

And a health programme has also been launched to address the town’s “entrenched” use of drugs and alcohol.

Police and council chiefs have admitted the use of class C drug GHB has become increasingly prevalent in Oswestry amid fears users are at risk of dying from an overdose.

Health experts say Oswestry is one of only a few areas in the country that has such a large problem with the drug.

Council bosses have agreed to fund a study by Liverpool John Moores University to find out why Oswestry has a specific problem with the drug.

Oswestry Local Joint Committee last night agreed to give a grant of £2,000 to Shropshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team for the project.

A report said the team did not have the necessary expertise to deliver the project, which is why the university would be commissioned.

The report said: “The rapid appraisal and needs assessment would help develop a better understanding of the use of GHB in the Oswestry area.

“The main aims of the proposed work would be to appraise the nature and patterns of GHB use among identified adult groups – experimenters, club-goers, problematic drug users, and body builders – to assess the need for intervention.

“The work will explore the reasons for use, the risks and dangers of use and the level of accuracy of information held by users.”

Health campaign Active Oswestry, aimed at steering people away from drugs and alcohol, has also been lau-nched. Shropshire Council corporate performance imp-rovement officer Arren Roberts told last night’s meeting it would look at issues including entrenched alcohol and drugs misuse.

Community regeneration team leader Kate Garner said: “We need to find out more about this specific pro-blem we have in Oswestry.

Oswestry police inspector Jim Stafford said officers will still target suppliers and users of GHB but welcomed initiatives for better understanding of the problem.

By Iain St John