Charity’s 1,400 calls over parent drug use

Rise in reports of substance abuse near children

MORE than 1,400 calls have been made to a helpline over the past three years by people concerned about alcohol, drug and other substance abuse around children, a charity has revealed.

NSPCC Scotland was contacted by 494 Scots about the habits in 2015-2016, up from 408 the previous year.

A total of 1,420 calls related to substance abuse concerns were made between 2013 and 2016 in Scotland. Charity bosses say some were so judged serious that more than 1,300 referrals were made in the past three years to external agencies such as police and children’s services.

Across the UK, 8,500 people contacted the NSPCC helpline last year about potential substance misuse by adults when young people were in their care – a 16 per cent rise from the 7,300 who called in 2013-14. As well as calls about excessive alcohol use by parents, the charity heard about drug use.

One member of the public contacted the helpline about neighbours, saying: ‘They have a party going on in the house every weekend. I see lots of people entering and leaving the property and there is a strong smell of drugs in the air when this happens.

‘The children are inside the home when the parties are taking place and I’m becoming worried for their welfare.

‘The mother has a drinking problem and regularly leaves the children at home on their own. I don’t want to approach her as it may create tension between us. What should I do?’

The figures were released to coincide with the start of Children of Alcoholics Week, which aims to raise awareness about the problems and suffering associated with parents with drinking problems.

The NSPCC said that UK-wide it had taken 25,000 complaints of alcohol or drug abuse by adults looking after children over the past three years.

The report states: ‘Substance misuse is a significant risk for children and often leads to neglect and abuse.

‘Excessive alcohol consumption or use of drugs inevitably

‘Often leads to neglect’

makes it difficult for parents to deal with family life and often put pressure on relationships.’

Matt Forde, national head of service for NSPCC Scotland, said: ‘Drugs and alcohol can have hugely damaging effects around children and it’s clearly troubling to see a rise over time in reports of this problem to our helpline.

‘Substance misuse all too often leads to the neglect or abuse of a child and it’s absolutely crucial that we do all we can to stop that.

‘The NSPCC provides services directly to families suffering from these problems to help them overcome them and provide their children with a safe and secure upbringing.

‘Everyone has a duty to look out for potential signs of distress and the NSPCC’s helpline is there to provide help and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.’