WINNIE Bentley was talking to a neighbour when she froze with fear.

At first she thought she hadn't heard correctly.

But then the horrifying words were repeated: "Your daughter's on drugs."

Winnie told herself it was just neighbourhood gossip.

Her girl would never get mixed up in that sort of thing.

"My whole world was shattered.

"I just refused to believe it," said Winnie, of Montague Street, Blackburn.

"My daughter was 20 years old but she was still my little girl." Winnie approached her daughter, who denied she was using drugs.

Although Winnie wanted to believe her, something inside told her she wasn't getting the whole story.

Over the next three weeks, Winnie kept asking her: "Are you on drugs?"

She remained adamant; "No mum, not me."

But then the worst day of Winnie's life arrived.

Still convinced something was not right, she begged her daughter for the truth.

The young woman broke down: "I'm sorry mum. Yes, I've been using heroin." Winnie said: "Even though I had suspected since my neighbour told me, I went into a state of shock.

"She went from being a strong-minded person to a complete wreck. I could see her slowly destroying herself.

"My first aim was to get her off the stuff. I sent her away from Blackburn to some relatives in Fleetwood who looked after her and slowly she won the battle.

"But parents just have nowhere to turn to. I was full of emotions . . . anger, shock, confusion.

"You need someone to turn to and that's why the new group will be of massive benefit to parents.

"There will be a spiritual element to it but it's not going to be a case of having religion stuffed down your throat.

"Father Jim is the most caring, sensitive man in the world. He understands exactly what you're going through and you feel so much better after talking to him.

"To discover your child is using drugs is the worst feeling in the world and you will do anything to help them. But there's just nothing for parents.

"We don't know where to turn to for help and we don't know if we're doing the right things to support our children.

"That's why this group is needed. Parents are the forgotten victims. We need help too."

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