CHILDREN with life-threatening drug addictions now have somewhere safe to go thanks to a newly-established council service.

U-Turn revealed its new name yesterday, which was chosen by the youngsters it tries to save from heroin, cannabis and alcohol.

The 36 children under treatment were noticeably absent from the launch as U-Turn manager Esther Schmidt said they often live chaotic lives and are hard to get in touch with.

Youth and drug workers from the town heard an emotional speech from an alcoholic's mother, who wished to remain anonymous.

Her 30-year-old daughter tried to commit suicide on Christmas Eve and has just started to face up to her problem.

"No one would ever guess she is an alcoholic as she is always immaculately dressed. She has been completely in denial of her problem, but has recently tried to go cold turkey," the mother said. "It is an ongoing battle."

One third of the children on the group's books suffer from heroin addiction, while 43 per cent are hooked on cannabis. Nearly one fifth are alcoholics.

U-Turn used to be called the Young People's Misuse Service. It has been operating since 2004. and the council is upping its efforts to get it firmly established so it can help more children aged 10 to 18.

Sue Wald, Swindon Council's director of strategy and commissioning, said she believes there are about 60 children with severe drug addictions in Swindon - U-Turn has 36 on its books.

She also estimates that about 3,000 children in Swindon are vulnerable for a range of reasons, including family, school or drugs.

She said: "The launch of U-Turn is critical in raising awareness among young people and professionals so that the right young people get referred for treatment.

"U-Turn is the top end - these young people are already involved in drugs, but we also want to educate other children before they reach that stage."

Jean Pollard, Swindon Council's director of children and families, said: "We have recognised the need for a dedicated youth drugs service - it got off the ground without proper resources, but now we have an established service."

Most of U-Turn's clients are white, male and British, but the team want to encourage teenagers from other ethnic backgrounds to seek treatment.

Three-quarters of youngsters with serious addictions are boys. Only 26 per cent are girls.