It is two years since Josie found out about the Oasis project. Without it, she says, she would not be here today.

When Josie first started going to the therapy sessions and creative writing workshops, she was starting life again.

Because of her addiction to prescription drugs, she had lost everything.

She said: "I had just come out of the psychiatric wing at Brighton General, where I was detoxing. I had an order not to go home from social services.

"I had been taken away from my family and felt like I had nothing. It was sheer rock bottom stuff. I don't think I would be here if it wasn't for them."

Josie first started taking prescription painkillers when she injured her back almost a decade ago. Over the years, her physical pain lessened but her reliance on the drugs did not.

When she was allowed to live with her children again, Josie was faced with the problem of what to do with her eldest child when she attended sessions at Oasis.

Her little boy loved going to the creche while she explored her emotions in workshops or learnt various crafts. But her daughter, a young teenager, had to be left with a neighbour.

It was in recognition of this problem that the Oasis team set up a group so eight to 16-year-olds could meet separately from their parents and younger siblings.

The aim was to support young people who were trying to cope with the drug problems blighting their family, offering them an opportunity to talk and a forum for learning new skills with computers and video technology.

Now the project has been awarded the 'Oscar' of community care awards in recognition of its success.

The Community Care magazine award for best alcohol and drug project in the country was presented by former model Heather Mills in London last month.

According to the project manager at Oasis, Gail Barnard, the award is a particularly impressive achievement because the young people's service has only been running for seven months.

She said: "It is fantastic that it has been recognised."

Oasis is the only organisation of its kind in the country. Every other service working with drug addicts and substance abusers treats both men and women. This project is the only one in the UK which focuses just on women and children.

According to Ms Barnard, women are often reluctant to make use of charities and self-help groups which help users tackle their addiction and rebuild their lives.

"It's well-known women drug users don't come forward for help. One of the reasons for this is the fear their children might be taken from them. Women may also feel uncomfortable talking openly in a mixed group."

Josie believes women may feel reluctant to seek help because of the stigma of drug addiction, especially if they have children.

She said: "Having a drug problem is not just something that happens to junkies you see on the street.

"Women may be put off attending Oasis because they think there will be needles hanging out of people's arms or something but it's not like that at all.

"There are quite a lot of women who have got into drugs like me, from taking something on prescription.

"Society doesn't see that as a problem because you're not doing anything illegal but it can cause just as much misery."

Mo Mowlam, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, is a particular fan of Oasis.

In an introduction to the 1999/2000 annual report, the MP wrote: "The work of Oasis goes from strength to strength as evidenced by the growing number of women and children accessing their services."

She praised Oasis for targeting its services to a particularly vulnerable group whose needs were not being met elsewhere. Since Brighton has the highest number of women dying from drug-related causes in the country, the need is particularly pressing.

According to the national charity Drugscope, statistics also show children whose parents have a drug habit are more likely to use drugs themselves.

In addition, a report by East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority has revealed 12 per cent of young people in East Sussex over the age of 12 had tried class A drugs.

The eight-to-16 project aims to instil enough self-confidence into the youngsters so they won't turn to drugs in the first place.

The team hopes to improve self-esteem, teach new skills and help the young people cope with the stigma of drug addiction.

Debbie Beynon, children's services team leader, said children often felt uncomfortable with what was seen as their parents' 'secret'. She said some children were forced into the role of carer, while others felt uncomfortable about inviting friends to their homes.

Other problems with low income, domestic abuse and peer groups were sometimes an issue too, she said.

Last year, Oasis helped 349 women and 51 children. This was a big increase from 1999, when 193 women used the project's services.

These include a creche, parenting skills sessions, counselling, creative writing, relapse prevention, singing and drama, relaxation skills and acupuncture.

But Josie, who has recovered from her addiction, believes her teenage daughter has benefited in many ways.

With the help of the £4,000 grant from Community Care magazine, the children will be able to use a camcorder and a computer with video editing software to put together their own films. They have already practised making videos and focusing on other creative skills.

Josie said: "I don't ask her how she feels about the group or what happens in it because it is for her.

"It's good for her to have something that is just for her.

"It's not a place where they have to talk about everything but it is a place where they don't have to hide anything. That's the important thing."

Anyone is welcome to take part in the group. For more information, contact Ms Beynon on 01273 696970. Names have been changed to protect identities.