| Steven Dalton, lead officer of Dundee Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said authorities in the city had already put in place measures which make a positive difference.
He said Professor Neil McKeganey’s suggestion would do little to fuel constructive debate about the best ways to assist children at risk because of substance misuse in their family.
“I agree entirely with Neil McKeganey that an ongoing debate is necessary to ensure that children are afforded protection from neglect or abuse,” said Mr Dalton.
“Unfortunately, this suggestion is simplistic and sensationalist and seems to be aimed at inflaming debate and polarising opinion.
“It is disappointing that the professor appears unable to offer constructive comments to help address the real problem of child protection and substance misuse.”
Professor McKeganey, head of the centre for Drug Misuse Research at Glasgow University, believes radical moves are needed to protect youngsters from the chaotic lifestyles of their parents.
He said it is impossible for social workers to guarantee the safety of addicts’ children due to the numbers involved.
Recent figures estimate that 50,000 children have a parent with a drug problem while around 80,000 to 100,000 have a parent with an alcohol problem.
Professor McKeganey accepted that the proposal to put CCTV inside addicts’ homes was controversial, but said that the issue must be debated.
He told a national newspaper, “The question is whether we are prepared to say the principle of the privacy of family life is more important than that of child protection. If we accept that privacy is the most important, then there will be many more tragic cases.
“The response to this suggestion will be to say that it is an unacceptable extension of ’big brother’ and a violation of individuals human rights.
“But the Human Rights Act was never intended to be a ‘get out’ clause for those committing crimes or harming vulnerable children.”
The Association of Directors of Social Work branded the CCTV suggestion “impractical” and called for a “detailed debate” on child protection issues.
Mr Dalton said, “We have direct links between the Children and Young Persons’ Protection Committee and the Drug and Alcohol Action Team and a joint working group is devoted entirely to addressing the issues for children at risk from their parents’ (or others’) drug/alcohol use.”
“A seminar is to be held to discuss the most up-to-date and effective methods for protecting children from harm due to drug and alcohol misuse.” |
