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by Change | 30 Jul 2007

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More people addicted to alcohol than drugs! (The Herald, www.theherald.co.uk July 30th 2007)

The Association of Directors of Social Work applauds the executive's considered response to the research findings on methadone and its desire to listen to a wide range of views. In its manifesto, the SNP committed itself to using a more robust evidence base in its approach to drugs. It also pledged a national Drugs Commission to develop a long-term national strategy.

Before any review is announced, ADSW urges the executive to consider adopting a broader remit. We believe Scotland needs to look at how it copes with the impact of addiction to drugs and alcohol, and specifically confront the impact both have on children.

While alcohol is legal, the impact its abuse has on users and families shares a number of similarities with illegal drugs. There has been a significant rise in the number of children who have a parent or parents addicted. An estimated 40,000-60,000 children are affected by parental drug misuse but 80,000-100,000 children are affected by parental alcohol misuse. The challenge of protecting these children and endeavouring to give them a nurturing, secure and supportive start in life is considerable.

Early in 2006 there were calls for all children with drug-misusing parents to be taken into care. Not only is this impossible - Scotland only has 3493 foster care places and 1539 residential beds (almost all are already in use) - but removing a child from its parents is not always in the child's best interest.

The needs of these children must be paramount for all services: education, health and social work. In addition, we must also develop a wider range of services that address general issues in the lives of addicts and their families, such as accommodation, relationships, education, employment and training, and leisure. We need a continuum of support to help parents face the challenges of becoming drug free and creating a rounded quality of life for themselves and their families.

The SNP has set the tone for a more responsible debate about drugs and its impact on families that examines the priorities and what it will take to meet them. It's a pressing challenge for the executive but one where cross-party consensus could be achieved.

(The Herald, www.theherald.co.uk July 30th 2007)

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