DRUG groups from Calne and Chippenham are helping launch a national government campaign calling for young people to talk about the taboo issue of hard drugs.

Government figures reveal up to 36 per cent of young people in the south west have taken drugs including 18 per cent of 11-15 year-olds.

Calne is one of many Wiltshire towns targeted by drug dealers and users.

Police operations to crack-down on the heroin menace have had limited success. Police chiefs said the Class A drug was back on north Wiltshire streets within six hours of the last major operation in autumn 2002.

The new government initiative FRANK launched by the Department of Health and the Home Office aims to help young people and their parents talk openly about Class A drugs.

A helpline, website and advertising campaign are among a multi-pronged assault aimed at stamping out the escalating problem.

Reach Out a Chippenham and Calne-based drug action group was launched two years ago offering much-needed support for north Wiltshire users through twice-weekly help sessions.

The group are one of many Government Office South West drugs teams and are helping spread the word about this latest campaign.

A roadshow, which kicks off on June 2, will travel across the south west, giving people accurate information about drug use, treatment programmes and support groups available to users and their relatives.

CASE STUDY 1 - Sarah

A north Wiltshire mother said heroin nearly ruined her life as she became trapped in a downward spiral of addiction.

"I have been on drugs since I was 13. I started taking speed and other drugs and used to be pleased with myself for not starting on heroin. Then I tried it and got hooked.

"I have got a little boy and I used to make sure I had enough food for him even if it meant going without myself.

"My neighbour had her son taken away into care and I was determined that wasn't going to happen to me. The turning point was realising I could lose my son.

"The Reach Out group was fantastic. I still think about drugs but I am determined to stay off them."

CASE STUDY 2 - Rachel

Drugs used as an escape route from depression nearly spelled disaster for another north Wiltshire parent.

"I didn't get on with my mother and left to live with my dad. Then I got into a violent relationship and that was the start of the spiral.

"My friends moved away and I seemed to have nobody. I saw drugs as an escape route from depression. One night I took eight ecstasy tablets.

"I used to get telephone calls from Social Services checking up on me because my neighbours were spreading lies that I couldn't look after my little boy. I was getting in such a mess I knew that I had to stop taking drugs. It was awful to begin with I was in agony and very shaky but I got through it.

"I think a lot of people round here start on drugs because they hang about bored with nothing to do."

The national drugs helpline can be reached on 0800 776 600.