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Study Links Drug Use to Child Abuse Source: The Associated Press, January 11, 1999 Excerpts: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Parental drug and alcohol abuse is largely responsible for a surge in child abuse and neglect, according to a report that urges more government spending to treat addicted parents. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse said in its report Monday that providing treatment for addicted parents would reduce the need to remove children from their families. The study notes that the number of child welfare cases has more than doubled over 10 years, from 1.4 million in 1986 to more than 3 million in 1997. The problem costs society billions of dollars each year, the authors say. ``Child abuse walks hand in hand with drug abuse and alcohol abuse,'' said Joseph Califano, the center's president and a former secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. ``If we're serious about doing something about child abuse and neglect, we better get serious about alcohol (and drug) abuse.'' The Child Welfare League of America, which represents child welfare workers, agreed with the report's premise. Its research estimates that 40 percent to 80 percent of parents in the system have a drug or alcohol problem, depending on the community.
