AN alarming rise has been reported in Bolton babies addicted to drugs.

Eight were born hooked on the heroin substitute methadone in the first two months of this year.

This is more than the total number for last year.

Now council chiefs have now appointed a new social worker to deal with a rising drug problem among parents.

Details of the new social worker were reported to social services committee councillors yesterday.

They were told that there is concern that more young children are now growing up in homes where at least one parent is on drugs.

Cheryl Eastwood, assistant director of social services, said: "When we talk about drug-related services, it is assumed that we are talking about youngsters or adults.

"But we are now more and more having to offer help to very young children and their parents.

"It does seem to be a problem which is on the increase."

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