A mother who made the heartbreaking decision to turn her son in to the police after he became involved with hard drugs believes she did the right thing – even though he ended up in prison.

Susan Gale, 57, said she made the right decison responsible parent.

The health worker, who admitted she had paid a high price for her honesty – with son Oliver Perver-Gale, 22, still refusing to see her or answer her letters – said she hoped her “tough love” would spark a parenting debate.

She said: “I’ve thought about little else since I called the police but I’m still convinced I did the right thing.

“What happened to my family could happen to anyone’s.

“If by speaking out I can help others avoid the misery I’ve been through then it will be worth it.” She added: “We do need to see some tough love going on. We at least need to start talking about it.”

Ms Gale’s nightmare began in April last year when she found a ‘wrap’ of brown powder on the kitchen table at the family home in Compton Road, Lindfield.

Perver-Gale, who used to attend £24,000-a-year Ardingly College, lived on a farm at Colwood Lane, Warninglid, but often stayed the night at his mother’s.

After ringing a national drugs helpline and identifying it as a class A drug, she made the life-changing decision to call the police. Officers found £9,000 of ecstasy in a plastic box in the 22-year-old’s car and another wrap of the class A drug in his pocket.

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall, who sentenced Perver-Gale to 18 months, described him as a “young man who comes from a decent family and who had the benefit of a good education at Ardingly”.

Ms Gale, who spoke to the Daily Express, said she hoped prison would sort her son’s life out. She added: “Drugs are evil and destroy people and I don’t what that to happen to my son. I’m hoping the experience of going to prison will be the turning point in his life.”

Ms Gale, a health visitor for Haywards Heath family planning clinic, said her eldest son had not responded to her letters to Camp Hill Prison on the Isle of Wight.

Villagers in Lindfield yesterday praised Ms Gale’s bravery.

Rosie Carey, 18, who works at Martin’s newsagent in Lindfield High Street, said: “I know her and I know her other son, Jonathan, but I don’t think I’ve ever met Oliver.

“She’s a lovely woman and I’m sure she would do whatever was right. It must have been a really difficult decision to make.”

Jackie Walker, who has lived in the village for more than 40 years said: “She’s very brave. I don’t know if every mother could do it, because most mothers think their children are perfect. I feel for her.”

Dr Adrian Rogers of Family Focus, which supports families in crisis, said: “If every parent had this responsible approach it would be a huge step to getting drugs out of Britain. I applaud Ms Gale.”