Directors call for royal commission

The Association of Directors of Social Work is urging political parties in Scotland to back its call for a royal commission into the impact substance misuse has on children and families.

ADSW believes an independent inquiry is needed to obtain cross-party agreement on the best way to protect children living with parents who abuse drugs and alcohol.

The Scottish executive is already reviewing guidance on the use of the heroin substitute methadone, but ADSW says a wider debate is needed around how substance misuse services are expected to meet need.

David Crawford, president of ADSW, told Community Care: “There are some issues that need to be dealt with in a de-politicised way. A royal commission is meant to be able to consider major issues for the long term – this is not one for knee-jerk politics.”