CYP Now - Opinion: Debate - Is it right to drug test parents in childprotection cases?

The Scottish Executive is planning to adopt an Association of Directors of Social Work proposal to require parents with a past of drug addiction to take drug tests before decisions are made on taking their children into or out of care.

NO - David Liddell, director of Scottish Drugs Forum

We have to be careful not to promote simplistic solutions that couldlead to increased harm for children living in households where there isa drug problem. Drug testing is not an exact science and can becircumvented. It could also lead to more harmful drug or alcohol use inorder to avoid detection - heroin does not stay in the system as long ascannabis, for instance.

Widespread testing may also mean that parents with a drug problem mayshy away from help.

YES - Bernadette Docherty, convenor of the Association of Directors ofSocial Work's children and family care committee

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