AMCD inquiry: 'Hidden harm' report on children of drug users
Report of the findings of the ACMD's inquiry on children of problem drug users in the UK.
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This report sets out the findings of an inquiry carried out by the Advisory Council, focusing on children in the UK with a parent, parents or other guardian whose drug use has serious negative consequences for themselves and those around them.
The report sets out 48 recommendations and the following 6 key messages:
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there are between 250,000 and 350,000 children of problem drug users in the UK - about 1 child for every problem drug user
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parental problem drug use causes serious harm to children at every age from conception to adulthood
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reducing the harm to children from parental problem drug use should become a main objective of policy and practice
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effective treatment of the parent can have major benefits for the child
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by working together, services can take many practical steps to protect and improve the health and well-being of affected children
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the number of affected children is only likely decrease when the number of problem drug users decreases