The number of NHS heroin prescriptions could rise as part of a programme to rehabilitate drug users, it has been announced.

The home secretary said on Friday that new guidelines for GPs will endorse controlled prescription of heroin and methadone in a bid to break the link between drug abuse and crime.

Speaking to GPs in Sheffield, Blunkett said the time had come for "new radical thinking" about the best way to deal with the damaging impact of drug dependency on society and individuals.

"The challenge of the next decade is to take on the scourge of Class A drugs and the hard drug takers," he said

"Heroin addiction leads to the total disintegration of people's lives, the most entrenched and difficult drug abusers reach a level which they can't get out of.

"We need new radical thinking about how we engage them in treatment, we need change and progress."

The Home Office plans to establish pilot schemes to provide substantive guidelines for GPs for the circumstances in which the controlled prescription of drugs will benefit users.

At present less than one per cent of users being treated are prescribed heroin and officials feel that the guidelines will not "increase dramatically" the number of individuals who are given drugs.

The home secretary said that rehabilitating users could have real benefits for communities:

"Findings from the Primary Care Clinic for Drug Dependence in Sheffield show a 61 per cent reduction in criminal activity after 12 months on a methadone programme, proving that we are right to target drug users in the fight against crime."

GPs have been encouraged to play a key role in helping individuals overcome their addiction. The proportion of addicts referred by GPs for treatment has increased from six to sixteen per cent. However, the home secretary was keen to stress that prescribing drugs should not become an automatic choice

"Prescribing heroin is all about what is right for the individual, it's about making it available to all those with a clinical need," said Blunkett.

"But we need to get away from the syndrome of receiving help and treatment only if you are already in trouble with the law," he added

"Last year 17 per cent of people in treatment came through the criminal justice system. We will increase that number through a whole range of new interventions, but will continue to help all who cry for help."

A separate scheme to promote the dangers of drug abuse to school children was also announced by the Home Office.

Liberal Democrat spokesman Simon Hughes welcomed the government decision to focus on hard drugs:

"The greater emphasis on targeting Class A drugs is welcome. They do the greatest harm to the health of the users and to the community," he said

"David Blunkett is right to highlight the need for a change in the way that drug addiction is dealt with. Drug users should be seen as patients not criminals."

However, Hughes warned that guidelines to GPs would not be enough.

"If the home secretary is serious about promoting best practice in dealing with heroin addiction, he will have to address the woeful funding of frontline drug treatment services."