NO - Martin Barnes, chief executive, DrugScope
The welfare of children must be paramount, but children should not automatically be taken into care simply on the basis that a parent or carer is using drugs. Instead, a number of risk factors should be monitored, including a parent's drug or alcohol use, to assess their impact on a child's welfare. In order to do this, early identification is vital.
However, too many agencies and professionals remain insufficiently equipped to spot, understand and intervene as appropriate when problem drug use occurs. While ensuring that drug use is on the radar, we need to avoid reinforcing stigma and the barriers to seeking support.
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