DRUG abuse in families is now one of the major problems faced by social workers in East Lancashire.

The situation has got so bad extra cash has been found to tackle the problem even though social services chiefs have been forced into £2.5 million worth of cuts.

The problem was revealed when Lancashire's social services budget for the coming year was set at a county council meeting.

Social services chairman Doreen Pollitt said: "The number of cases of abuse of all types of drugs from cannabis to heroin has been growing in Lancashire.

"Our priority is to combat the increasing drug abuse in families and the effect it has on children.

"The problem in Lancashire now comes a close second to alcohol but there is an increase in the amount of cases every year."

Coun Pollitt added: "We are getting more and more case of children suffering because of drug taking in the family.

"We would be neglecting our duty as a local authority if we were to ignore the situation."

The extra cash, part of a £1.1 million package for child care, will be used to carry out a major survey into the problem of drug abuse. Money is also being pumped into the service provided by social workers involved in Lancashire's youth justice system.

County Hall is keen to get involved with the changes planned by Blackburn MP and Home Secretary Jack Straw for dealing with young offenders.

Around £2.5 million worth of cuts have been made from the annual social services budget.

Coun Pollitt said: "We made extra savings in home care so we could spend the money on child care.

"The thing to remember is that we have not reduced services because there was an overspend on home care."

Savings have also been made in the money spent on staffing homes for elderly people.

Mike Chambers, chairman of the East Lancashire Drugs Reference Group has welcomed the extra resources from the county council.

He said: "Drugs and the effect they have on families and carers are a growing problem in East Lancashire and the rest of the country.

"Obviously the extra resources are a welcome development. The effects of drug abuse on the family are something we have been working on in East Lancashire.

"Clearly we welcome the collaboration of Lancashire County Council, the only way we are going to get results is by working together."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.