NCJ Number
198782
Journal
Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2002 Pages: 381-386
Date Published
December 2002
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article discusses programs for the children of illicit drug-using parents.
Abstract
The health and well being of children of illicit drug users are growing areas of concern. The dilemmas of these children include developmental impairment due to in utero exposure to alcohol and other drugs, abnormal and disruptive behavioral patterns exhibited by the children, physically and psychologically destructive care-giving practices of parents and others, exposure to a range of harmful and unhealthy behaviors along with dangers emanating from them, and poverty. Most of the published literature on programs designed to counteract negative influences on the lives of these children comes from the United States and includes residential, home-visiting, and non-residential approaches. These programs are in short supply in Australia. The Canberra-based Parents’ and Children’s Clinics (PACCs) started as a playgroup in 1990. Playgroups consist of a group of parents and children that meet to promote interaction. These programs aim to provide drug-using parents and their children with a non-judgmental service focusing on health, welfare, and advocacy needs. Formal interviews were conducted with parents involved with PACCs and staff. Participant observation was conducted for 4 months. It was found that a major dilemma for programs was to find an appropriate balance between establishing trust to encourage parents to participate in programs and dealing with problems. Dealing with child abuse and neglect was more challenging. Another issue was that guidelines for recognizing abuse and neglect tended to be fairly general, so that perceptions varied widely. PACCs staff, other health professionals, and parents were generally reluctant to discuss abuse and neglect. Another dilemma was harmonizing accessibility and flexibility with the provision of child-focused activities and adult education. Additional dilemmas were finding a suitable and affordable location, supporting staff, collaborating with other services, and securing adequate funding. 31 references