DRUGS worth thousands of pounds have been taken off the streets in Eastleigh.

In the latest swoop, three people were arrested and £1,500 of cocaine was seized from a property in the town.

Since April the police's tactical crime unit has identified and closed down three cannabis factories and made several seizures of "substantial" quantities of heroin, cocaine, Ecstasy and amphetamines.

A dozen known drug dealers have also been targeted. They have now either packed their bags and left, stopped dealing drugs or been jailed.

It comes hard on the heels of the launch of a multi-agency initiative aimed at providing parents of secondary school children across the Eastleigh borough with an insight into illegal drugs.

The move, being spearheaded by Eastleigh police, is aimed at reducing some of the fears parents have.

One one of the key messages being put across is that the perception of the level of drug-taking by Eastleigh teenagers is nowhere near the reality of the situation.

A police spokesman told the Daily Echo: "It is recognised and acknowledged that a minority of youngsters do and will experiment with illegal drugs.

"The numbers in the Eastleigh area are minimal compared with the big cities," she added.

More than 300 parents went to the first drugs awareness roadshow at Chandler's Ford's Thornden School and a similar number is expected when Hedge End's Wildern School hosts the next event on November 24.

Supported by representatives from Parentline Plus and Parent Support Link, speakers talk about personal safety issues associated with drugs, health awareness, legal issues, signs and symptoms, date rape dangers, alcohol misuse and under-age drinking.

Roadshow organiser PC Angie Whitmarsh said: "We had some excellent feedback from the parents at Thornden and the interest from other local schools is most encouraging.

"From a police perspective, the evenings are invaluable as we can provide parents with some reassurance and point out that we are constantly targeting drugs sources to disrupt supplies into the area."

Anyone who has information on illegal drug taking is asked to contact Eastleigh police station on 0845 045 4545.