Essay Sample on Child Abuse & Substance Abuse: 25% of Children at Risk

Since several parents or guardians who abuse illegal substances neglect or even abuse their children, it is usual for the customers in the treatment of substance abuse to have some contact with the child protection systems or welfare. In America, about 25% of the children residing in their homes with at least one guardian or parent who experiences substances use conditions (Barth, 2011). Most of these children go through abuse or neglect; hence, they are at high risk for teenage maltreatment and child welfare participation compared to other teenagers. The teenagers who are at increased risk may be affected by brain trauma, among others, because of parental abuse neglect and abuse (O'Flynn, 2019). Consequently, parental substance abuse leads to the chaotic surrounding at home, child neglect, and many more. Therefore, this paper proposes one policy change that should be implemented to improve parental substance abuse in child welfare.

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The policies and legislation that encourage the parents to participate in the substance use treatment, as well as regard their parenting responsibility as part of their recovery process, assist in minimizing the consequences of the parental substance use complications concerning their children (O'Flynn, 2019). Extended lasting programs for the teenagers that illustrate their medical and developmental requirements and experiences of brain trauma and reestablish building close bonds with their children are significant (Barth, 2011). All the American states have established various policies and statutes that help protect children from the abuse and neglect by their parents and guardians who are victims of substance use. If these policies and regulations are violated, the justice systems may impose rules on parents requiring them to accept and fulfill their children's needs.

Conclusion

Thus, the Family Court Act should be changed to assist in discussing some problems in developing reasonable as well as active attempts and other related judicial reports in various cases related to substance use (Barth, 2011). Application of reasonable and aggressive policy efforts can help parents and their children in receiving required services that may enhance permanency impacts, additionally, for the justice system to make a judgment on the child who is neglected due to the parental substance use which is under treatment and those who are not under treatment (O'Flynn, 2019). Therefore, when the changed policy is implemented, most children who are neglected or abused to parental substance use will significantly benefit. This policy will enable most affected families because of parental substance use to help a lot from the government, which will offer treatment to the substance addicts in the society and how to prevent them from affecting their children negatively.

References

Barth, R. P. (2011). Research outcomes of prenatal substance exposure and the need to review policies and procedures regarding child abuse reporting. Child welfare, 80(2), 275.

O'Flynn, M. (2019). The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997: Changing child welfare policy without addressing parental substance abuse. J. Contemp. Health L. & Pol'y, 16, 243.