1. Substance use, women and parenting: preliminary results from a NSW study with women in substance use treatment Stephanie TAPLIN, Richard Mattick & Melissa De Vel Palumbo National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre University of NSW ACWA Conference August 2010

2. Background to study Three year study of Child protection and women in substance abuse treatment Funded by NSW Community Services, NDARC & UNSW Concerns about when & how to intervene where parental substance use a child protection concern Lack of research in area, particularly large scale & with women themselves Study aims

3. Why women on the OTP? Opioid Treatment Program (OTP): methadone (majority) & buprenorphine Heroin a child protection concern; polydrug use common 50% (est.) heroin users are on OTP OTP one of most effective treatments Large numbers of women on OTP are caring for children; not all known to CP Attention re take-aways & kids

4. Methods Recruited through 9 OTP clinics Sydney metropolitan area Interviewed: May 2009 to May 2010 Ethics approvals and permissions for each clinic Interviews were 1 hour in duration and had qualitative and quantitative components Consent to access OTP and Community Services records at conclusion of interview

5. Data collected Large amount of data collected from women, treatment, child protection records Covers participants’ substance use and treatment histories, their demographic characteristics, children and parenting, and any parenting-related interventions, particularly those from child protection services

6. Sample Women on the NSW Opioid Treatment Program with children under 16 years Number of study participants: 175 Response rate: 60% (estimate) Participants from private clinics (n= 111) and public clinics (n = 64)

7. Risk factors examined Maternal: age; age first child born; single parent; mental health issues; substance misuse; domestic violence; lack of social supports; community violence; own abuse history; poor parenting; low income; low educational attainment Child: premature birth; disability or chronic illness; behaviour or learning difficulties

8. Age of women in sample Age in yearsNumberPercentage (%) 10-190- 20-294028.3 30-397644.1 40-495330.9 50-5931.7 Mean age at interview: 35.8 years. Min: 21; Max: 52 years. N= 172. NB: Preliminary data only

9. Indigenous status 39 of the study participants were Aboriginal i.e. 22.7% of sample N = 172. NB: Preliminary data only

10. Country of birth N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only

11. Highest level of school completed N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only

12. Current type of residence N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only

13. Current employment status Employment statusNumber Student 7 Employed for wages20 Home duties45 Unable to work/disability pension 42 Unemployed and looking for work 57 N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only 144 (84%)

14. Recent financial difficulties N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only

15. Relationship status Not in a relationship 72 (42%) Married/de facto54 99 In a relationship (58%) (not living together)45 N = 171. NB: Preliminary data only

16. Age when first child born N = 172. NB: Preliminary data only

17. Number of children N = 172. NB: Preliminary data only

18. Ages of children N = 172. NB: Preliminary data only

19. Child protection involvement Child protection system involvement of respondents Number Percentage (%) Currently at least one child in OOHC 5833.1 Recent child protection investigation/ assessment or service provision 95.1 Past involvement with child protection i.e. previous report, investigation or OOHC 5129.1 No child protection contact ever5732.6 N = 175. NB: Preliminary data only

20. How often can’t get help N = 165. NB: Preliminary data only

21. First person turn to N = 167. NB: Preliminary data only

22. Data yet to be analysed Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory (BCAP) Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) Current substance use and history Services received and need – especially, parenting related & support services Child protection reports, interventions, OOHC history Drug treatment interventions/services Parenting efficacy; impact of substance use on parenting & caring for children And lots more

23. Dr Stephanie Taplin * Research Fellow National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre University of NSW Sydney NSW 2052 s.taplin@unsw.edu.au Post-doctoral research fellowship funding for 2008-2010 under a collaborative research scheme between NSW Community Services, NDARC and UNSW.