DRUGS LEAVE CHILDREN IN CARE

DRUGS and family breakdown are behind a staggering increase in the numbers
of children in care, Community Development Minister Sheila McHale told
State Parliament yesterday.

There were 1633 children in care in WA at June 30, a 47 per cent increase
since 1997.

Ms McHale said there was a range of complex problems behind the increase in
the numbers of children coming into care, including the prevalence of drug
problems in the community, family breakdown, physical and sexual abuse and
disability.

The complex social problems also caused a rise in the length of time
children were staying in care.

Ms McHale said children now could stay in care for a number of years,
rather than six or 12 months.

"Over four years there has been a significant increase in the number of
children coming into care both as wards of the State and in a voluntary
capacity," she said.

"A child would come into care 10 or 20 years ago because of neglect or
malnutrition. It was more poverty driven.

"What we are seeing now is the effects of family breakdown and the
complexities associated with those sorts of situations."

She said many children needed care because of their parents"drug dependency
or drug-induced psychosis.

An Auditor-General's review had shown there was an increase in the number
of younger children coming into care.

Ms McHale said the increase had prompted the Government to look at
additional ways of tackling the problem, including allocating extra
funding. The State Government was increasing the $60,000 annual funding to
the Foster Carers Association. The association would get an extra $50,000 a
year for the next four years.

Last week, the Government launched Create, a support program for children
in care, which will be funded with $90,000 a year for the next three years.

Ms McHale said the Government's response to the drug summit recommendations
would also impact on the social problems.

She said there would be a focus on early intervention programs and
providing parenting assistance.

Foster Carers Association WA president Fay Alford said there had been more
drug-related placements but alcohol problems and abuse were key factors in
children being placed into care.

Mrs Alford said more programs aimed at preventing children going into care
were needed.

"They need to be looking at teaching people how to be parents, giving them
parenting support and parenting classes," she said.

There was a big demand for foster carers, with the increase in children
coming into care in the past few years.

"They are in short supply," Mrs Alford said.

There are about 800 foster carers in WA.