Everyone 'has a moral duty' to help children at risk

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INDIVIDUALS have a moral duty to watch out for children at risk because of drug-abusing parents, Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said today. He dismissed the idea that such an approach amounted to snooping and insisted child protection was "everyone's business". In a speech to a drugs conference, Mr Ewing said up to 60,000 youngsters across Scotland were affected by their parents' drug misuse. He said: "These are shocking an unacceptable statistics. "We are creating a very dangerous situation, which - if left unchecked - could have grave consequences of future generations, in terms of health, life chances, future drug addiction, alcoholism and crime." It is two years ago this month since East Lothian toddler Derek Doran died after apparently drinking methadone. A murder charge against his mother Lisa Dodds, 26, of MacFarlane Court, Elphinstone, was dropped earlier this year. Mr Ewing said child protection would form a key plank of the Scottish Government drugs strategy due to be published next spring. And he said it would focus on prevention, early intervention and support for children and families. But he added: "I return once again to a sense of morality. We have to accept our responsibility for the health and well being of future generations. "Of course, there is a significant responsibility on agencies to get it right - especially when it comes to protecting children. "But it is also incumbent on us as individuals and communities for us to take responsibility for our neighbours and fellow citizens. "Everyone needs to be vigilant to the terrible situations of children in drug-abusing households. "This is not about interfering, but protecting the safety, health and life chances of our children. "Child protection is everyone's business." And he used the speech in Glasgow to appeal to members of the public who wished to report concerns about a child to use the national child protection phone line. He said: "The call handlers will assess the information and provide help if it is needed. "It is a 24-hour-a-day, seven days a week service. Members of the public can call to discuss concerns and what happens next depends on the child's circumstances.