Sarah Paterson The Politics Show Scotland

The Trust has given Elaine real hope for the future

The Aberlour Trust, a children's charity which runs a centre for mothers trying to get off drug use so they can keep their children, estimates there could be as many as 160,000 children in Scotland living in homes with alcohol or drug abuse.

The Politics Show was given exclusive access to this unique residential rehabilitation centre to hear their stories...

Elaine believes her recovery is all down to the centre which has given her a chance to get off drugs while still being able to live with her youngest child.

A far cry from what life was like only a few months ago.

"I was taking him outside with me taking him to score," she recalled, "Tamazapin, heroine, cocaine, valium, anything."

"My fridge would be empty, my cupboards empty, I would have jars for him or if they got money, we'd go out and do a big shop but it would always be microwave.

"And when I came in here, I was only six stone and Corey was dead gaunt looking and he's talking a lot more in here.

"He's come on a treat definitely."

Third generation use

A recent government report revealed that 120,000 children in Scotland live in homes with alcohol or drug abuse.

But Aberlour, the children's charity that runs the project, estimates the number could be as high as 160,000.

The treatment centre at Aberlour offers a place to six families at a time.

The Aberlour Trust say they are dealing with third generation substance use and unless the cycle can broken, then it will not be long before they are treating the children of these addicts.

Bruce Thomson, is the Aberlour Trust Centre Manager: "We're seeing some of the most vulnerable families in Scotland," he said.

"For some of the older children they may have been living with this for a number of years, other agencies may have been involved and by the time they come here, they have been through a range of services."

Elaine is really out to beat the habit

The Aberlour Childcare Trust believe that their programme offers the chance of a better life for both parents and children, a life without drugs and a more stable environment for their kids to grow up in.

Funding problem

But with room for only six families at any one time, funding is a big issue.

The Scottish Government has commissioned a review into drugs misuse policy.

The money spent and its effectiveness will be assessed.

Community Safety Minister, Fergus Ewing told the Politics Show that the review has cross party support.

He also indicated that public involvement could play a larger role in the SNP's drugs strategy due to be announced in May.

"We need to involve the whole community in helping these children, so they can become the eyes and ears for those children who have no voice of their own."

But while the politicians look again at how to tackle the scourge of drug addiction, for Elaine, she believes this is her last chance to get off drugs - there is no question it will be a battle for her but it is one she will fight to the end.

"If I don't do it now I'll never do it, cos I've tried too many times and the support I've got the noo. I've never had the support I've got the noo."

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Join Glenn Campbell on the Politics Show on Sunday 10 February 2008, on BBC One at 12:00 GMT

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