Parental drink and drug misuse may harm 40,000 children in North

Up to 40,000 children in the North could be affected by the misuse of drink or drugs by their parents, it was revealed today.

The shock figure was revealed by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey as he launched a regional action plan to provide help and support to children from the “hidden harm” of substance misusing parents or carers.

The minister said: “When we discuss alcohol or drug misuse, the focus is often on the individual directly affected.

“However, substance misuse also has an impact on those connected to the misuser – it has an impact on their family, on their friends, on their community and on our society as a whole.”

Mr McGimpsey added: “The biggest indirect impact is often felt by the children and young people who are born to, or living with, substance misusing parents or carers.

“This impact of substance misuse on children is often referred to as ’Hidden Harm’.”

The action plan estimates there could be as many as 40,000 children in the North living in a family where there is a substance misuse problem.

Declaring it a major issue the minister said the plan would help improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the North.

“It will not be easy to address, and improvement will not come overnight. Nevertheless, if we can ensure that children’s services are working in partnership with addiction services to deliver the actions contained in this document, then we can, and will, make a difference,” said Mr McGimpsey.

The Action Plan’s main themes include:

- The need for joint planning/commissioning and integrated working;

- Development of specialist services and support for children/young people;

- Safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare;

- Workforce development;

- Public awareness; and

- Research & evaluation.

SDLP Children’s Spokesperson Mary Bradley threw her weight behind the action plan.

The Foyle MLA said: “Unfortunately there are thousands of children across the north of Ireland who are brought up in households where alcohol is a main feature.

“The negative impacts of alcohol-dependency of parents and carers on children are untold stories and it is only right that the Department of Health take steps to tackle this problem.”

Proper support services needed to be available for vulnerable children and young people, she said.

“Their welfare must be a top priority and I hope this new strategy will make a real change to the lives of some of these children.”