DRUG TESTS FOR PARENTS TO KEEP CHILDREN

Parents who use drugs could be forced to undergo tests to prove they
are clean in order to avoid having their children removed into care.

The idea of drug testing has come from Bernadette Doherty, of the
Association of Directors of Social Work, during discussions with Peter
Peacock, the minister for children.

Last night there was support for the idea from across the political
spectrum.

Referring to the suggestion from senior social workers, a spokeswoman
for the executive confirmed: "Officials are looking at how this could
be practically implemented."

Ms Doherty, social services director at North Ayrshire Council, said:
"Every case is different and you require a multi-agency assessment of
the child's needs. The critical question is, is the addictive
behaviour of the parent causing the child significant harm?

"It is then the state often intervenes. So there has to be first of
all evidence that the parents' behaviour is causing harm."

She added: "We can't remove children without legal authority of the
court - sometimes the public forget that. You need to have robust
evidence to allow us to do that."

Fiona Hyslop, SNP shadow minister for education, was guarded about the
idea, saying: "There is a strong case for drug-testing of parents
which remains yet to be proven but deserves proper
examination."

But Annabel Goldie, the Scots Tory leader, was fully behind the
suggestions, saying: "If the risk (to a child) stems from serious
illegal use of substances, then there is a very strong argument for
the children's hearing system to intervene, both in identifying that
danger and having the power to do something about it."