Addicts’ children ‘to come first’
{mosimage} More will be done to help identify children who are at risk in homes with drug-addicted parents even before they are born, ministers have pledged.
First Minister Jack McConnell said the safety of children must come first as he unveiled the Scottish Executive’s new policy Hidden Harm – Next Steps. He said “chaotic” drug abuse was incompatible with effective parenting.
The policy calls for action to improve the identification of youngsters at risk, including at the pregnancy stage. This would enable support to be given at the earliest possible stage. Drug users with children will be assessed so that a decision can be made on their capability as parents.