CHILDREN who have close relationships with their mothers are far less likely to get involved in drug or alcohol abuse, a study by North-East academics has claimed.

But international researchers also found that good parenting - seen as a barrier which can protect youngsters from drug culture - is being undermined where drugs are freely available.

A research team led by child psychiatrist Dr Paul McArdle at Newcastle University found that having a caring mother was the single most important factor in preventing youngsters from taking drugs.

Dr McArdle said: "I believe that effective prevention of drug use is more about family relationships than any other factor.''

Experts found 14 and 15-year-olds were less likely to have drug and alcohol habits if they lived with both parents in a properly supervised and loving atmosphere.

The study, in the Society for the Study of Addiction's journal, examined 4,000 young people in Newcastle, Dublin, Rome, Bremen in Germany and Groningen in the Netherlands. Of those without parents at home and without a supportive and supervised homelife, 42 per cent were likely to be involved in drugs.

If both factors were present, the figure fell to 17 per cent. If one factor was present the level was 32 per cent.

The study said that the findings "underline the unique role of mothers in regulating the behaviour of the great majority of young people".

The young people completed questionnaires designed to assess the quality of their relationship with their parents and level of supervision. It also asked if they ever took cannabis, amphetamines, Ecstasy, LSD or tranquillisers, or regularly drank alcohol.

Dr McArdle said: "This study shows that the quality of family life, or rather the lack of it for many young people, is at the core of the drugs problem in Western society.