Up to one-third of children in the UK live with at least one
parent who binge-drinks, according to a study by charity
Action on
Addiction published today.
One million children live with an adult who has used illicit
drugs within the past year, while 4% live in households where
parents have both drink and mental health problems.
The study, revealing the highest known estimates of parental
substance misuse in the UK, also shows that 3% of children in
England alone live with a problem drinker who uses drugs.
Researchers compiled the figures based on secondary analysis of
5 household surveys.
Nick Barton, chief executive of Action on Addiction, said: "This
new piece of research shows that more children are at risk than we
had previously though and that potential harm is not limited to new
users."
Action on Addiction is providing a service aimed at supporting
families experiencing the effects of parental substance
misuse. Professionals will run assessments and reviews for up to
eight families at any one time to help reduce the impact of
abuse.
The latest findings follow a Home-Office funded
study earlier this year that found newly-qualified social
workers felt inadequately prepared to work with people with
substance misuse problems.
Your views
Do you feel your training has adequately prepared you for
working with parents with drink and drug problems? Go to
Carespace
Related events
Working with Adults who Misuse Substances: Equipping frontline
workers with key skills across Children’s and Families and Adults’
social care sectors
14 October 2009, London
Tel: 020 7347 3574
Email: registrations@lexisnexis.co.uk
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