IT IS shocking to see in such depth the back-street drug scene that buzzes 24 hours a day by York's historic landmarks.

Disturbing to watch young beggars raising money in Museum Gardens to feed their drug addiction, haggling for a £10 bag of heroin in broad daylight in Parliament Street, and injecting a syringe full of brown liquid into their groin in York's public toilets.

Stranded: On Cloud 9 is aimed at enlightening children about the harrowing world of heroin addiction. Director Kevin Curran spent two weeks following heroin addicts Marissa, 23, Jimmy, 21 and Elliot, 35 through their everyday lives.

With the shadow of York Minster looming over him, privately-educated Elliot breaks down as he tells how he is "dying with guilt" at some of the things he did to finance his addiction.

Marissa, broken by the death of her mother, sits silently with her pet dog, clutching her recorder, while a passer-by pauses to give her a piece of his mind. She then overdoses on £20 of heroin.

Whether or not you take pity on Marissa, you will certainly pause for thought next time you pass her in your lunch hour.

Updated: 08:48 Friday, May 16, 2003