HALTON could be in danger of becoming the drug-taking capital of the Mersey region as research figures show the borough had the highest reported number of new users last year.

Figures compiled by the University of Liverpool for 1997 show that 409 new cases were reported in Halton, compared with just 80 for the rest of North Cheshire.

This was the highest reported incidence of new drug abuse in Liverpool and Cheshire.

And the stark message that serious drug abuse is on the increase in Halton has prompted a group of local parents to take action.

The People's Action Team Halton (PATH) is a new group set up by parents of drug users to offer advice and counselling to the families of drug addicts.

A statement released by the new group reads: "The aim of PATH is to gain information and educate parents in order to help alleviate the fear of the unknown."

The confidential service, to be staffed by trained volunteers, will be targeted at parents of drug users to enable them to cope with the various emotions aroused by drug abuse.

Five volunteers have already been trained in telephone help-line techniques. The eventual aim will be to offer a 24-hour help-line, drop-in and outreach service.

It has been set up because most drug advice agencies currently concentrate on the abusers themselves.

Such practical measures as helping parents cope with neglected grandchildren and giving them someone to talk to.

Path is now looking for office facilities to enable work to begin in earnest.

Donations can be made to PATH c/o Waterloo Community Centre, Waterloo Road, Runcorn.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.