Corrie set to tackle drug addiction

A new hard-hitting storyline covering the issue of prescription drug addiction...

09:56 13 May 2009

Coronation Street is set embark on a hard-hitting storyline covering the issue of prescription drug addiction.

The ITV1 soap will see Street resident Joe McIntyre, played by Reece Dinsdale, become addicted to painkillers when his bad back condition worsens.

Viewers will see the already depressed Joe lie to doctors to get his hands on more drugs and become progressively more violent with his partner Gail (Helen Worth) who is left having to deal with the consequences.

A show source told The Sun: "Everyone knows that heroin and cocaine can ruin lives, but addiction to prescription drugs is rife and rips respectable families apart.

"Most soaps have featured illegal drug addiction but painkiller addiction is almost unheard of.

Soap return Corrie favourite back on the Street.

"It will highlight a real issue for modern Britain as viewers see the terrible effect Joe's addiction has on Gail and his daughter Tina."

Dinsdale joined Coronation Street in May 2008 and was introduced as Tina's father.

His character Joe has since had a rocky time in the Street with residential conflicts, a string of financial problems and blackmail, and a stormy relationship with his family, Gail and her son David.