Safe spaces needed for drug-addicted children, say grieving mums

Families Warn of "Postcode Lottery" as Youth Opioid Deaths Rise

Three mothers whose teenage sons died following struggles with opioid addiction have told the BBC that the UK's drug treatment system is failing children. As part of a wide-ranging probe into youth drug therapy, Anita Morris, Nicola Howarth, and Kate Roux shared their experiences, revealing significant inequalities in community care and a critical lack of state-funded residential services for under-18s.

Data from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System shows a 13% rise in under-18s seeking help in 2024-25. However, experts and families claim many are not receiving the assistance they need. Of the 16,000 young people in therapy last year, more than half were aged 15 or younger.

A Scarcity of Specialist Care

While most children are treated within the community, those with the most complex needs require residential care. Currently, there are no state-run specialist residential drug services for under-18s in the UK. The few available beds are located in expensive private hospitals, often costing upwards of £18,000 for a 28-day stay.

Anita Morris, whose 17-year-old son Olly died after using drugs bought online, described the desperation of trying to manage his detoxification at home. "We need safe spaces for children. We need places for them to get off opioids with proper assistance, where they are safe and their parents aren't constantly wondering if they will die in their bedroom," she said.

Fragmented Services and Lack of Coordination

Kate Roux, from Knaresborough, described the medical assistance her son Ben received as "horribly overstretched." Before his death at age 16 in an adult homeless hostel, Ben had been on the books of more than a dozen different agencies.

"Every strand of his care was handled by a separate group, and there was very little contact between them," Kate explained. "There was no joined-up scheme."

Similarly, Nicola Howarth from Newton Aycliffe said her son Alfie saw at least 20 different drug workers between the ages of 12 and 17. She was quoted £23,000 for private rehab—a sum she was still trying to save when Alfie died. Heartbreakingly, a call offering a residential bed finally came on what would have been Alfie’s 18th birthday.

Rising Demand and Changing Trends

Experts told the BBC that shifting drug trends—including a dramatic rise in ketamine and solvent use—are increasing the demand for specialist care. While cannabis remains the most common substance cited by young patients (86%), the rise of high-potency synthetic opioids remains a grave concern.

The Call for a National Strategy

Professor Dame Carol Black, the government's independent drugs advisor, stated that children have suffered from years of under-investment. She argued that the sector must be "rebuilt" to provide consistent, high-quality care.

Dr Will Haydock, Chief Executive of the charity Collective Voice, echoed these calls, stating that a "coherent, coordinated package of care" is vital. "Substance use problems are never exclusive; they are always part of a person's wider life, including their mental health and education," he said.

In response, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said that £3.4bn has been ringfenced for drug and alcohol therapy and recovery over three years, with further funds to be channelled through Public Health grants by 2026. However, local councils, such as Cheshire East and North Yorkshire, continue to highlight the "serious budget constraints" and the "clear gap" in residential services that only a national strategy can bridge.

For the parents of Olly, Ben, and Alfie, the hope is that these findings will prevent other families from enduring the same tragedy. "To know your child is safe, and not going to die in front of you, would mean everything," Anita said.