Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 21 June 2012
21 Jun 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Families
I thank Nanette Milne for bringing forward this debate on supporting families who are affected by drugs. It is an important and challenging debate on an issue that we need to deal with on a cross-party basis and with consensus.
Drug misuse is not an easy problem to deal with. As we know, there are about 60,000 problem drug users in Scotland and, on average, for every known problem drug user, four other people—often family members—are directly affected. Therefore, there is no doubt that drug misuse affects a significant number of people in Scotland. Many of them will be children who, through no fault of their own, are neglected because of their parents’ drug addiction. The Scottish Government estimates that 40,000 to 60,000 children are affected by parental drug misuse, but more recent studies suggest that the figure could be even greater.
Parental drug and alcohol misuse can have a serious impact on all aspects of children’s and young people’s lives. For some children, basic needs might not be met and there is a heightened risk of maltreatment and abuse. Audits of child protection registers have found that a significant proportion of children live with parental drug and alcohol misuse. Parents with drug problems are often physically and emotionally unable to meet children’s needs, which can result in children taking greater responsibility in the household and can affect their education.
We must recognise that the secrecy and stigma surrounding the issue are likely to affect parents and children when they consider seeking support. In some cases, children might feel frightened about the consequences of telling someone outside the family. Children want somebody to talk to whom they can trust, who does not judge them, who listens and who is reliable. Meeting other children who have similar experiences can often prove to be helpful.
Family support groups provide an opportunity for relatives, partners and friends to meet others who are experiencing or have experienced similar circumstances. As Nanette Milne pointed out, surveys have shown that family members of addicts often feel isolated, depressed and stressed. It is widely accepted that addicts need support to recover but so, too, do family members.
Given that responses to surveys have made it clear that family support groups offer the type of supportive, non-judgmental environment that helps recovery, we should welcome the work being done by the Grampian Family Support Forum and Scottish Families Affected by Drugs to bring families affected by drugs together. The dedication and commitment of staff and volunteers in such projects provide much-needed support to families affected by drug misuse. As families benefit from working together, developing bonds and relationships and helping one another to get through challenging periods in their lives, we must ensure that not only information but the best advice are properly shared with them and that they are given the practical support they need.
I am sure that other members will highlight examples of good practice from across Scotland. However, I believe that we should acknowledge the contribution made by grandparents and recognise the pressure felt by kinship carers who step in to look after children of drug-addicted parents. Not only do many kinship carers not get the financial support that they need, but they are not well equipped physically and emotionally; after all, they often have to look after young grandchildren as well as deal with their own child’s drug addiction. The financial support for kinship carers that the Scottish Government promised has still not arrived, and I ask it to bring forward that support as soon as possible.
Although it is vital that families are supported, Scottish Families Affected by Drugs has found that, despite the pressures that they face, most family members wait for at least two years before seeking help for themselves. I know that people are keen to change that situation but, in order to do so, we must tackle the stigma surrounding drug misuse. Indeed, 41 per cent of respondents to the Scottish Families Affected by Drugs survey said that stigma had been a barrier to their seeking help for a relative. The truth is that we all have a duty to tackle stigma, as it can have very serious consequences. We must also ensure that the proper facilities and treatments are available to those who decide that they want to come off drugs because, if they are not, we will see a long-term decline in their chances of recovery.
The problem of drugs is not easy to deal with. As I said, we need to approach the issue on a cross-party basis and build a consensus about how we move forward on it.
I move amendment S4M-03394.2, to insert at end:
“; recognises the contribution of Scottish Families Affected by Drugs, and believes that family support groups need to be given the support required to help their members and relatives through challenging periods in their lives.”
Drug misuse is not an easy problem to deal with. As we know, there are about 60,000 problem drug users in Scotland and, on average, for every known problem drug user, four other people—often family members—are directly affected. Therefore, there is no doubt that drug misuse affects a significant number of people in Scotland. Many of them will be children who, through no fault of their own, are neglected because of their parents’ drug addiction. The Scottish Government estimates that 40,000 to 60,000 children are affected by parental drug misuse, but more recent studies suggest that the figure could be even greater.
Parental drug and alcohol misuse can have a serious impact on all aspects of children’s and young people’s lives. For some children, basic needs might not be met and there is a heightened risk of maltreatment and abuse. Audits of child protection registers have found that a significant proportion of children live with parental drug and alcohol misuse. Parents with drug problems are often physically and emotionally unable to meet children’s needs, which can result in children taking greater responsibility in the household and can affect their education.
We must recognise that the secrecy and stigma surrounding the issue are likely to affect parents and children when they consider seeking support. In some cases, children might feel frightened about the consequences of telling someone outside the family. Children want somebody to talk to whom they can trust, who does not judge them, who listens and who is reliable. Meeting other children who have similar experiences can often prove to be helpful.
Family support groups provide an opportunity for relatives, partners and friends to meet others who are experiencing or have experienced similar circumstances. As Nanette Milne pointed out, surveys have shown that family members of addicts often feel isolated, depressed and stressed. It is widely accepted that addicts need support to recover but so, too, do family members.
Given that responses to surveys have made it clear that family support groups offer the type of supportive, non-judgmental environment that helps recovery, we should welcome the work being done by the Grampian Family Support Forum and Scottish Families Affected by Drugs to bring families affected by drugs together. The dedication and commitment of staff and volunteers in such projects provide much-needed support to families affected by drug misuse. As families benefit from working together, developing bonds and relationships and helping one another to get through challenging periods in their lives, we must ensure that not only information but the best advice are properly shared with them and that they are given the practical support they need.
I am sure that other members will highlight examples of good practice from across Scotland. However, I believe that we should acknowledge the contribution made by grandparents and recognise the pressure felt by kinship carers who step in to look after children of drug-addicted parents. Not only do many kinship carers not get the financial support that they need, but they are not well equipped physically and emotionally; after all, they often have to look after young grandchildren as well as deal with their own child’s drug addiction. The financial support for kinship carers that the Scottish Government promised has still not arrived, and I ask it to bring forward that support as soon as possible.
Although it is vital that families are supported, Scottish Families Affected by Drugs has found that, despite the pressures that they face, most family members wait for at least two years before seeking help for themselves. I know that people are keen to change that situation but, in order to do so, we must tackle the stigma surrounding drug misuse. Indeed, 41 per cent of respondents to the Scottish Families Affected by Drugs survey said that stigma had been a barrier to their seeking help for a relative. The truth is that we all have a duty to tackle stigma, as it can have very serious consequences. We must also ensure that the proper facilities and treatments are available to those who decide that they want to come off drugs because, if they are not, we will see a long-term decline in their chances of recovery.
The problem of drugs is not easy to deal with. As I said, we need to approach the issue on a cross-party basis and build a consensus about how we move forward on it.
I move amendment S4M-03394.2, to insert at end:
“; recognises the contribution of Scottish Families Affected by Drugs, and believes that family support groups need to be given the support required to help their members and relatives through challenging periods in their lives.”
References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
- S4M-03394.2 Families Motion
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
Good morning. The first item of business is a debate on motion S4M-03394, in the name of Nanette Milne, on families. I remind all members that time is extrem...
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I begin by indicating that we are happy to accept both amendments.It is well recognised that Scotland still has an enormous problem with drug addiction, whic...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Roseanna Cunningham to speak to and move amendment S4M-03394.1. Minister, you have no more than seven minutes.09:25
The Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs (Roseanna Cunningham)
SNP
I welcome the motion and the Labour amendment. Nanette Milne is absolutely right—the role of families is key to the success of our national drug strategy “Th...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I have listened carefully to the minister’s comments about the recovery programmes, which I fully support, and I support everything that Nanette Milne said, ...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
The member will accept that, in a speech of seven minutes, I cannot touch on every issue, but I am aware of the mental health problems that go along with dru...
Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I thank Nanette Milne for bringing forward this debate on supporting families who are affected by drugs. It is an important and challenging debate on an issu...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the open debate. I remind everyone that we are tight for time and that speeches will be no more than four minutes long.09:37
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Nanette Milne for raising an important issue that, such is the scale of substance misuse in our nation, is—I am sorry to say—relevant to every member...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
The debate is likely to be consensual, which reflects the fact that under the previous minister in the previous parliamentary session agreement on the recove...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member needs to wind up.
Dr Simpson
Lab
We should praise Scottish Families Affected by Drugs, welcome the work that is done by the Scottish Drugs Forum and call on the Government to continue its co...
Maureen Watt (Aberdeen South and North Kincardine) (SNP)
SNP
I am glad that Nanette Milne managed to bring the topic to the chamber as a Conservative business debate this morning; it was originally going to be a member...
Liz Smith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
The debate has already shown that there is not an MSP in the chamber or anyone who is involved in making policy on children who does not believe that good-qu...
Mark McDonald (North East Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate Nanette Milne on bringing this important debate to the chamber. I know that her original intention was to have a members’ business debate on t...
Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
Not long after my election, I took on the role of co-convener of the cross-party group on drug and alcohol misuse, and through it I have learned a tremendous...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
I thank Kezia Dugdale for her informative speech—I will certainly visit the cafe that is just around the corner from here. I also thank Nanette Milne for ini...
Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD)
LD
I, too, thank the Conservatives for using their debating time this morning to highlight the role of families who are in recovery from drug abuse and—in parti...
Jenny Marra (North East Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
The debate has been very good, and it is timely and worth while. I thank Nanette Milne and the Conservatives for bringing the topic to the chamber. In the pa...
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP
I thank members for the many thoughtful contributions on a significant issue affecting families in Scotland. One of the essential values of the Scottish Parl...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I thank Nanette Milne for moving the motion and allowing a debate on one of the biggest issues that Scotland faces today. As Richard Simpson said, the debate...