The guidelines will help addicts get their lives back on track

Under the new arrangements, social work services and the police could be contacted by drugs workers when they feel a youngster is in danger.

The new guidelines would allow this to happen without parents' permission.

The issue was highlighted by the case of two-year-old Derek Doran who died after drinking methadone at his home.

Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald said the new standards would help all those involved in tackling substance misuse to drive up the quality of care.

We will not only help those with substance misuse problems but also improve the lives of those around them Hugh Henry Deputy justice minister

"Crucially, they recognise that many people requiring and receiving this help have children who themselves must be given appropriate support and protection by all the relevant local agencies during this difficult time," he said.

"This will require information to be shared with other services to safeguard the interests of each child."

The standards were developed by a steering group comprised of representatives from drug and alcohol services, service commissioners and regulatory bodies.

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said the standards would ensure that treatment programmes for drug addicts across Scotland were provided to a "consistently high standard" and would enable them to get their lives back on track and avoid similar problems in future.