Pushers with plenty of cheap drugs to offload are at the gates of Oxfordshire schools according to a leading drug expert, writes David Horne.

Teenagers are being tempted to try even hard substances like heroin and crack cocaine - and there is not always a simple reason for them falling into the drugs trap.

The warning comes from David Rigal, who has just been appointed director of a national charity for drug users, Adfam National.

Mr Rigal, 44, of Eynsham Road, Cassington, says it is not just parents who need advice about how to cope with children who get addicted to drugs. Youngsters also have a hard time with parents who are hooked. He has lived in the county for 12 years and told the Oxford Mail that Oxfordshire was suffering in the recent explosion in drugs use.

"I am aware of attempts being made by drug pushers to get into schools in Oxfordshire, as are other agencies," he said, adding that most schools around Oxford probably had a problem.

"Part of the problem is the actual drop in price of substances. Heroin is going for £10 a bag now," he said. "The feeling is that there is no sign of it easing, even with hard drugs like heroin and crack cocaine.

"At a number of schools, attempts are being made to sell drugs to young children. There is no doubt about that. But this is a nationwide problem." Mr Rigal, married with two boys aged four and ten, says like all parents he is worried about drugs. Official figures show more teenagers use them, and the alarming increase is among 12 and 13-year-olds.

"Sometimes there is an explanation you can understand, like emotional or family problems. But it is a complex area and there are no easy answers. Just saying no will not work with all kids," he said.

Mr Rigal has been given the task of expanding the range of services provided by London-based Adfam National, especially the helpline which last year took more than 6,000 calls. He comes to the job with years of experience in counselling and social work.

Adfam has published a free booklet to help youngsters affected by drugs. He cites examples of recent callers to the charity's helpline. They include Kelly, aged ten, whose mother drinks and uses heroin.

Kelly said: "My friends ask me round to their houses after school, but I can't ask them back to mine. Somebody at school called my mum a junkie and I didn't know what to say. I'm worried what will happen to her."

Mr Rigal says children often go to great lengths to hide the fact of their parents' drug use. Many become carers, of both parents and siblings. A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "The force has a large schools' liaison programme where officers give advice and support about all sorts of issues, including drugs.

"If there are specific schools with drugs problems we will work together with headteachers and the education authority to solve the issue."

The Adfam helpline is 020 7928 8900.

Story date: Monday 28 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.