Plea over reporting child neglect

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7174076.stm

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Members of the public are to be asked to use a new helpline to report parents suspected of neglecting their children because of drug or alcohol abuse.

As many as 60,000 children are reported to be currently living with a parent with a drugs problem.

A scheme piloting the phone service has been running in parts of Scotland, but is now expected to be rolled out across the country.

It has been described as Scotland's "fourth emergency service".

'Community focus'

Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing said the problem of child neglect is one of the most serious facing Scotland.

He added: "If a heroin addict is down to his last £10, he will spend it on drugs and noton food for his children.

"That is the tragic reality.

"Everyone is aware of the risks of fire, emergency health problems or crime being committed but where is the means for the public to communicate their most serious concerns about the plight of a child?"

A Scottish Government spokeswoman confirmed that a campaign to get people to use the service would be launched next month.

She said: "The campaign will have a community focus, using local press andradio across the country to raise awareness that child protection is everybody'sbusiness.

"It will encourage people to report concerns about a child being neglected or abused, including any concern about children affected by parental alcohol or drug misuse."