Paying the Price for their Parents' Addiction: meeting the needs of the children of drug-using parents

Abstract

This paper reports on the impact of parental drug use on children and considers the possible responses that may be needed to reduce the risks being faced by the children of drug-using parents. The paper is based on interviews with 30 recovering heroin addict parents who provided detailed information on the impact of their drug use on their children. According to these parents, their children experienced material neglect associated with their parents' drug use, they were exposed to drug use and drug dealing and they were at risk of violence and physical abuse, criminal behaviour and family break-up. The paper concludes by identifying a number of policy changes and changes in service delivery that will be required to meet the needs of children in drug-using households and outlines the case for the creation of safe havens for the children of drug-using parents.