The "More Harm Than Help" campaign, encouraging people not to give money to beggars, has been launched today in Hamilton.

LISTEN ABOVE: General Manager of Hamilton Central Business Association Sandy Turner spoke with Larry Williams about the scale of the problem in Hamilton

The Hamilton Central Business Association began the development project three years ago to combat what was at the time a major issue with psychoactive substances.

General Manager for HCBA Sandy Turner said research done both locally and international showed that "many people" begging weren't actually homeless and were just trying to fuel dangerous addictions.

Ms Turner said they started the campaign because people weren't sure what to do when approached by beggars.

"It's very much around not just educating the public, but also educating our most vulnerable people and the people that need the support and the assistance to eradicate this problem."