Children of drug users risk neglect

Children of drug and alcohol abusers are at risk of emotional and
physical neglect, new research reveals.

Older children, especially over 16s, are often neglected in service
provision relating to their parents’ addictions, the research by
the University of Edinburgh finds.

In the UK there are an estimated 250,000 to 350,000 dependent
children living with parental drug abuse and 920,000 living with
parental alcohol misuse.

The study of 38 young people in Scotland aged 15-27 finds many have
problems receiving consistent practical or emotional care.

Help with education and work is seen as key to improving the lives
of this group of children.

l Go to www.jrf.org.uk