Substance Misuse: More data required on at-risk children

In its response to the council's 2003 report Hidden Harm, the Government accepted the need to improve data on the children of problem drug users and to update the Home Office's drugs strategy to focus more on reducing harm to these young people (YPN, 11-17 June 2003, p4).

Children's drugs commissioners will be appointed to local drug action teams to ensure drugs work with young people is part of the team's planning.

But the Government rejected the council's call for a long-term study into the impact of parental drug abuse on young people.

A spokeswoman for drug treatment charity Addaction said: "The Government strategy will help ensure children's services are proactive in their identification and support of vulnerable children at risk from substance misuse."