In recent years there has been a growing awareness of the potential for an individualÂ's substance use to have implications for other family members and particularly for the welfare and development of children. Recent estimates are that 230,000 Australian children are raised by adults who misuse alcohol or drugs. Although parental substance misuse does not inevitably lead to neglectful and abusive parenting, drug and alcohol problems feature in a substantial proportion of families where there are child protection concerns.Parents who misuse substances often struggle with other complex problems and children are likely to be exposed to a range of harms and high risk situations, making these some of the most difficult cases in the child protection system. This study has focused on the extent to which problematic alcohol and substance use are factors influencing childrenÂ's entry into care. It has also collected a range of data relating to family circumstances and problems; the impact on children and the services provided in response and outcomes.Findings have implications for both the child protection and drug and alcohol fields, in relation to policy, strategy and service delivery.
