Discredited hair testing program harmed vulnerable families: report

A review of nearly 1,300 child welfare cases spanning 25 years has found that a nowdiscredited hair analysis program in Toronto that tested for drug and alcohol use caused extensive — and potentially irreversible — harm to vulnerable families across Ontario.

An independent commission tasked with examining the Motherisk hair-testing program said Monday the child welfare system’s reliance on the analysis was “manifestly unfair and harmful’’ even when it did not substantially affect the outcome of cases.

The commission led by retired provincial court judge Judith Beaman said the tests were used to determine parents’ credibility and investigate suspicions of substance use. The results were given excessive weight by the organizations and the courts, Beaman said.

“The testing was imposed on parents and other caregivers who were among the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society. There was scant regard for due process or their rights to privacy and bodily integrity,’’ she said in a news conference.

“Most of the parents who were tested were powerless to resist. They told us they submitted to the testing under duress, in fear of losing custody of or access to their children. In some of the cases we reviewed, parents were told explicitly that this would be the consequence if they did not submit to testing.’’

The tests had a significant impact on the outcome of 56 cases and seven of those families have obtained legal remedies, with four cases involving children being returned to their parents’ care, Beaman said.