Charity calls for more help for children of drug addicts

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by Change | 28 Jan 2010

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More help should be given to children of drug addicts, it has been recommended.

Social services and health groups in the UK need to concentrate more on individuals requiring drug addiction support.

This is the suggestion from employees of the north London-based Barnet Carers Centre, which wants to see addiction advice offered to those abusing alcohol or drugs, the Barnet & Potters Bar Times reports.

Their primary concern lies with children of drug addicts, many of whom are forced to care for their mums and dads without any assistance.

Barnet Young Carers and Siblings' services manager Sangita Patel is proposing that the organisation works alongside agencies to provide help to young people and their parents.

"We would like a straight referral process, so as soon as an adult is identified for drug or alcohol services, if they have children, then a phone call is made to our service as a protocol, and we will do the rest of the work," she told the newspaper.

Ms Patel went on to say that a lot of affected children suffer from a "chaotic" home life and that some parents requiring drug addiction therapy can turn violent, while at other times a child may be forced to go hungry.

Barnet Carers Centre was established in 1996, with the organisation supporting approximately 350 young carers in the London borough.

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