addaction

12 October 2009

Addaction, the UK’s largest drug treatment agency, reveals today (Mon, Oct 12th) that 1.3 million children under the age of 16 are living in homes where one of the parents has serious drug and drink problems.

These children are living lonely and intensely difficult lives. Some are assuming the role of a parent themselves, looking after younger brothers and sisters. Others are isolated at school because of the stigma attached to their parents’ problems. Many are exposed to danger and violence associated with substance misuse.

Above all, this is a generation of children growing up in homes where problem drinking and drugs are seen as normal – something that makes them seven times more likely to become drug users or problem drinkers themselves in later life.

Read the full press release here

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