WTF???? (tailz hates politicians)
Take children from addicts, inquiry urges
From: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/take-children-from-addicts-inquir...
Annabel Stafford Canberra
September 14, 2007
CHILDREN of drug addicts should be put up for adoption and their parents forced to show why the child would be better off remaining at home, a controversial parliamentary inquiry report recommends.
Accusing drug experts and treatment programs of being an industry with an interest in keeping people on drugs, the report calls for a dramatic change in approach. Inquiry chairwoman Liberal MP Bronwyn Bishop said the rhetoric of the "drug industry" was "focused on the user to the detriment of children and other family members" and treatment was underpinned by an attitude "that it's all amoral and ? that you don't make a judgement on things being right or wrong".
Among its 31 recommendations, the report calls for children under five ? whose parents' drug use is the subject of a child protection notification ? to be put up for adoption unless a parent or child protection worker can show the child would be better off remaining with the family.
It also recommends:
[ch9632]A review of needle exchange programs and their impact on the communities in which they're based;
[ch9632]Quarantines of child welfare payments to ensure they're spent on food and other essentials;
[ch9632]Government subsidies for the controversial treatment Naltrexone which causes the body to reject heroin;
[ch9632]And cuts in government funding for treatment programs that support legalisation of illicit drugs, use language trivialising drug use (such as "recreational drugs"), or don't aim to get their clients "drug-free".
.....more of this article at the link above.....
I do understand that there are many cases where this may be the best option for children with serious junky parents....
But legilslation that enables immediate adoption/removal from the family home on the basis of one notification to childrens services??? Farkin hell! That's scary....
Can you imagine pot smoking parents who are in custody battles that turn nasty? A simple report to children's services and the child is whipped away and offered up for adoption...
I know this is my imagination running a bit riotous, but this sort of bastardisation of the law could easily happen...
I'm sure there'd be assessment processes implemented, and the likes. But shiiiiit!
Uprooting a child as young as 5, from their parents as an answer for addiction? Fuck NO! How about compulsory rehabilitation and a period of drug testing PRIOR to removing the kids from home?
Family support services? Mentoring programs? Parenting courses? I dunno...
aaand:
Accusing drug experts and treatment programs of being an industry with an interest in keeping people on drugs
WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF? WTF?
And cuts in government funding for treatment programs that support legalisation of illicit drugs
Cutting funding for organisationson the basis of THEIR OPIONIONS??????
Fuck me - I'm sure that's been helpful in the past....
I do support government fundign of Naltrexone clinics. I know people who have benefitted greatly from such programs. In addition, have worked with Naltrexone clinics and the guys there really care and are empathetic to the cause. But that's an oxymoron if teh government is only gouing to support them if they support drug-criminalisation.... SHIT!
/end rant
This is why I avoid reading/watching the news. It gets me too riled up and upsets me too much.
I reckon some users are more commited to their habbit than alot of parents are committed to thier jobs.
What if they were to sell heaps of drugs and use the profits to pay for a Nanny. There fore they would have the money to provide for their child while the child has suitable care as well as financial support along with not having to be separated from its parents. And if the kid is being looked after they have more time to be on the street peddaling their wares.
I was curious what exactly constitutes and addiction? If parents take a pill or have a few bongs once a month, will they be considered as an addict.
Without more information I dare not yet jump up and down about such a serious issue. But, like Tailz I completely agree that immediately removing children might be a bit harsh and instead should only be considered as a last result.
what a great idea!
C'mon guys, the government has always shown itself to be really fair and responsible when it comes to stealing babies.
so true
imagine in twenty years, there'll be the "ice addicts' stolen generation support group"
fucken hell.
sorry to sound so fascist but seriously, bogan junkies should be castrated