Huge, expensive issues facing new ministry
Research has revealed heritable changes in the expression of a person’s underlying genome.
This epigenetics can include switching on expression of alcohol addiction and obesity.
So, exposure of a foetus to alcohol or a high blood sugar environment in utero can produce heritable alcoholism or obesity.
As research continues, harmful inherited damage from recreational drugs such as P and cannabis can be expected to be revealed.
In many cases there is no prospect of undoing the damage done.
Those who care for such children know the difficulties they face. Even the most skilled carers are challenged. Some foster children become dangerous to other children and adults.
Without Government action, epigenetic damage will impose multibillion-dollar extra costs on New Zealand.
Sugar taxes, abolition of alcopops, and sterilisation of binge drinkers and users of banned recreational drugs must be given serious consideration.
Otherwise a dependency ratio insupportable by productive tax payers is unavoidable.
What will changing CYF’s name achieve? Allen Cookson Oxford
Listen to the young
It is encouraging that paying attention to young people in state care was recognised at the launch of the new Ministry for Vulnerable Children. With 5453 children placed under the care of the chief executive, the need for increased support and resourcing has never been greater.
Concern was also expressed by our membership that the new name for the ministry stigmatises the children and young persons it is charged to support. Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children and Young Persons was the preferred option. Judith Sutherland National Council of Women