Official figures have revealed that the number of children being treated for cocaine addiction, over the past three years, has grown by a whopping 50%. Last year, about 745 under 18s across England sought help for coke abuse from the National Treatment Agency, a substantial increase from the 2005-06 figures of 453.

Among the total youngsters, a small group was of very young children. While about 12 to 14 14-year-olds required help to get rid of the habit of use of this Class A drug, 169 14 to 16 year olds turned to the center.

What has really worried the authorities, however, is that the figures released actually show 15 children who were aged 12 or younger.

In all, almost 25,000 under 18s sought help from the center for de-addiction from the drugs and alcohol abuse over the last year alone, which is a hike of 150. Half of these cases were looking for cannabis de-addiction, more than a third for alcohol. Fewer teenagers, therefore, are actually looking to break coke and heroin habits.

"Most young people receiving substance misuse interventions cannot be described as addicts in the same way as adults in treatment", said Rosanna O'Connor, Director of Delivery at the NTA, while expressing her worry.