NCJ Number
145410
Journal
Child Welfare Volume: 72 Issue: 6 Dated: (November-December 1993) Pages: 533-542
Date Published
1993
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the findings of a 10-State survey that examined the impact of alcohol abuse and other drug abuse (AOD) on the delivery of child welfare services by member agencies of the Child Welfare League of America.
Abstract
The 10 States surveyed were Alabama, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, and Wyoming. There was a consensus among the responding agencies that problems associated with AOD were increasing, particularly in the past 5 years. When agencies were questioned about which substances were "fairly commonly used" or "commonly used" among the children and families they served, the substances most often cited were beer, wine, liquor, and marijuana. The survey asked respondents about the potential impact of AOD on their agency's ability to provide services in seven program areas: child protective services, family preservation, family foster care, adoption services, group care, adolescent pregnancy, and center day care. Generally, problems related to AOD can complicate and lengthen service delivery, frustrate efforts at family preservation and reunification, and tax limited treatment resources in the community. The author presents action recommendations designed to improve an agency's ability to address family and individual problems that involve AOD. 3 tables and 2 references