Heroin users in Middlesbrough will be allowed to self-administer drugs at a new clinic.
Cleveland Police said the scheme targets the most prolific offenders to break the cycle of drug use, crime and prison.
It will cost 12,000 pounds per addict and also see them helped in other ways.
The force estimates a core of 20 drug-dependent offenders in the city have cost the public 784,000 pounds over the last two years on detected crimes.
Similar trials in London and Darlington previously suggested such schemes reduce crime and drug use but they were criticised by campaigners Europe Against Drugs who said it "perpetuates addicts' maintenance on the drug when the goal should always be abstinence".
