|
|
Translate:
              ‘Put CCTV in addicts’ homes to protect children’
Friday, August 24th, 2007 A controversial plan for CCTV to be used to protect children in the homes of chaotic drug-abusing parents has been proposed by one of Scotland’s most eminent drugs experts. Professor Neil McKeganey, head of the centre for Drug Misuse Research at Glasgow University, believes radical measures are required to protect the estimated 160,000 children in Scotland living with an alcoholic or drug-addicted parent. He believes the sheer scale of the problem, which was previously estimated as being far lower, makes it impossible for social workers to guarantee children’s safety. Recent figures suggest more than 50,000 children are estimated to have a parent with a drug problem and around 80,000 to 100,000 have a parent with an alcohol problem. Social workers and children’s charities last night agreed with the need for debate and further action to protect these children but disagreed with the proposal. Mr McKeganey is known for his extensive research and controversial views. In 2004, he suggested female drug addicts should be paid to take long-term contraception to stop them having children. “What price should we put on our privacy?” said Mr McKeganey. “The question is whether we are prepared to say the principle of the privacy of family life is more important than that of child protection. If we accept that privacy is the most important principle then there will be many more tragic cases. “I am aware that this will be controversial but believe the debate needs to be had. We have become used to the proliferation of CCTV cameras within public spaces. We have also become used to the idea that those cameras are an effective tool in crime prevention. What we have not considered though is their possible use in private spaces.” Recent child abuse cases have highlighted the urgent need to tackle the problem. Last year, in the wake of an 11-year-old girl collapsing in a Glasgow primary school suffering heroin withdrawal, Jack McConnell, the then first minister, announced the children of drug addicts would be more likely to be put into care. In another case in December 2005, two-year-old Derek Doran died in East Lothian after drinking methadone in his parents’ home. Mr McKeganey added: “The response to this suggestion will be to say that it is the unacceptable extension of big brother’ and a violation of individuals human rights. But the Human Rights Act was never intended to be a get out’ clause for those committing crimes or harming vulnerable children.” Michelle Miller, the Association of Directors of Social Work spokeswoman on children and families, said: “This is an enormous problem and social workers by themselves are not going to fix it. It is a much wider issue than that and we need to have a detailed debate. This proposal, however, would be completely impractical.” Anne Houston, chief executive of Children 1st, disagreed with Mr McKeganey’s suggestion. “The money would be better spent in increasing the resources needed to identify and support children affected by drugs and alcohol misuse.” Meanwhile, an investigation has revealed that young drug addicts in Aberdeen city without dependants are low on the priority list and may have to wait up to two years for help. Have Your Say: ‘Put CCTV in addicts’ homes to protect children’ Please read our posting guidelines before posting. Alternatively you can discuss this report here. Related News
|
Fed payed out $900 billion last week, before this new $700 billion bail-out Last post by Unregistered @ 03:00 PM Go to Forum
| Latest Topics
Calculated to outrage Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 02:37 PM Bad Science Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 01:45 PM Aldermaston Big Blockade Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 01:33 PM The Icelandic Stock Exchange halted trading in shares of six major banks Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 12:44 PM Trading suspended on Russia bourse as stocks plunge Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 11:12 AM Brussels: Every member state for itself, despite show of unity at summit Last post by Nostalgia @ 10:54 AM Denmark Guarantees Deposits in $6.4 Billion Pact Last post by Nostalgia @ 10:07 AM FTSE plunges as pressure grows on Brown to follow Germany's 100% savings guarantee Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 08:41 AM The campaign grows Last post by Thinking Man's Idiot @ 08:22 AM  Email This Page To A Friend Latest Headlines
More Breaking News  Archive |
TOP NEWS DISCUSSIONS |
LATEST NEWS DISCUSSIONS |
|
|
Another Education is Possible Censorship and Freedom of Speech Lies, Crimes and Cover-ups - Human Rights Watch in Venezuela |
rick commented on: McCain-Palin Campaign Increasingly Staffed by Bush Administration Officials Look at the fact that all these elected or unelected officials are... Continue Reading & Reply rick commented on: 200 Years of Standing Up to U.S. War Lies After serving 20 yrs in the us army, I’ve been researching any and everything associated with... Continue Reading & Reply Jeffrey Peter commented on: War vets to talk about US atrocities The Cambodian genocide is said to be orchestrated by the US implied in a televised interview of... Continue Reading & Reply SMS Alerts commented on: McCain the Warmonger? Never, ever been a fan of Mr.Mccain. His obsession on Obama more than his own campaign is just stupid. Continue Reading & Reply |
|
The views expressed in the RINF news wire and newsletter are the sole responsibility of the author (s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the webmaster. RINF.COM: Breaking News & Alternative Media is Copyleft - Copy & Distribute Freely. News Forum |
Loading ...
