Pubdate: Sun, 10 Dec 2006
Source: Sunday Herald, The (UK)
Copyright: 2006 Sunday Herald
Contact:  http://www.sundayherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/873
Author: Paul Hutcheon

DRUG ADDICTS TO SIGN GOOD BEHAVIOUR CONTRACTS FOR  METHADONE

THE SCOTTISH Executive is considering the introduction  of contracts 
for drug-addicted parents as a way of  protecting vulnerable 
children, the Sunday Herald has  learned.

Health minister Andy Kerr is "investigating" options  for formalising 
the responsibilities to be met by  addicts in exchange for treatment.

Measures being weighed up include compulsory drug  testing and other 
commitments to wean parents off  illegal substances.

The change of approach is the latest intervention in  the ongoing 
debate on how the state should deal with  addicts and their children.

Around 60,000 Scots children live with parents who have  a drug 
problem, a situation which causes damage to  their education and life chances.

More than 300 babies are born addicted to heroin and  other illegal 
substances every year in Scotland.

These statistics prompted Labour MSP Duncan McNeil to  call for 
contraceptives to be placed in addicts'  methadone as a way of 
stopping them having children.

He later backed the idea of contracts that would  require addicts to 
commit to not starting a family.

In a letter to McNeil, the health minister ruled out  his colleague's 
methadone proposal, but added: "You may  also be interested to know 
that we are investigating  the possibility of developing contracts 
with drug-using  parents, so that they are clear about their 
responsibilities, the consequences of their actions and  the support 
and treatment they will receive in return."

The Sunday Herald also understands the Executive has  set up a 
sub-group, as part of its sexual health  strategy, to look at the use 
of long-acting reversible  contraception.

However, the substance of any contract for addict  parents is likely 
to cause tension in the current  coalition.

LibDem ministers were ghast at McNeil's original  proposals and are 
sceptical of punitive measures that  could result in more children 
being taken into care.

But their Labour colleagues look set to push for the  contracts to 
bind addicts to guarantees on drug tests,  as well as a commitment to 
becoming drug-free. An  internal Labour policy document on the 
subject makes  the case for a tougher approach than currently  practised.

It reads: "Parents should also be clear that if they do  not meet 
their responsibilities to care for their  children, then compulsory 
measures may be used to  secure alternatives which better meet 
children's  needs."

McNeil last night welcomed the Executive's  consideration of addict 
contracts. "I am very pleased,  as it confirms the direction of 
travel is in favour of  looking at the responsibilities of addicts," 
he said. "We are now treating this issue seriously."

Professor Neil McKeganey, director of the centre for  drug misuse 
research at Glasgow University, also backed  Kerr's stance. McKeganey 
has previously called for a  pilot study to evaluate the outcome of 
giving heroin to  addicts on prescription. "It is very positive that 
the  health minister has responded in this way, as it's  entirely 
appropriate that we are as clear as we can be  with addict parents," 
McKeganey said. "Parental drug  addiction harms children."

A spokesman for the Executive confirmed ministers are  looking at 
contracts for addict parents.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine