Last year there were 15 drug abusers who were pregnant and of these two miscarried, according to the report.

The other 13 mothers all delivered health babies, but 11 infants had withdrawal symptoms and were given oral morphine as a substitute,

These cases were reported to the government agency Appoġġ and five care orders were issued, while two of the babies continued living with their mothers in the presence of close relatives.

Among the 313 individuals seeking treatment for the first time last year, more than half (166) reported having children. The majority of these (81 per cent) were male and the most common primary drug was heroin. Of the 166, 37 per cent said they were living in the same household as their children, while 29 per cent were living with their partner and children. Just five drug users seeking treatment were living alone with their children.

Dr Clark points to the high number of men seeking treatment and adds that a lot of women drug users are out there, but not seeking treatment. She believes there is a need to develop services specifically catered for women and their children.

“We have to determine how we can attract more women into the service as they don’t seek help. First, they have the option of remaining on the streets longer because they can sustain their habit by prostituting themselves; and second, they’re petrified their kids will be taken away.

They may be junkies, but they love their kids,” she said.