The impact of a person's misuse of alcohol or drugs can have can have a huge effect on their children.

As anyone who has had children knows, caring for them is a full-time job that requires you be alert. If you're under the influence of drugs or alcohol, then your ability to care for children is reduced. If a parent is not alert, then the children run an increased risk of having accidents around the house.

In many cases, people who abuse substances often put the need to get drugs or alcohol above the needs of their children. So, any money that is around might be spent on drugs or alcohol rather than on food for the children. Sometimes, the need to get drugs or alcohol can lead to children being taken out of the house when they should be asleep. And although a parent may love their child very deeply, their reliance on drugs or alcohol can lead to them neglecting the needs of their child and placing him or her at risk of significant harm.

Doors being knocked down by people looking for money or children being taught to steal are just some of the features of drug and alcohol misuse. These increased risks of getting caught up in violence and criminal behaviour is not what children need in order to be able to grow up healthy and happy.