Parent Caregiver Drug Issues Checklist (PCDIC)

Description

The Parent/Care-Giver Drug Issues Checklist is a comprehensive assessment tool designed to help identify and evaluate the impact of parental drug use on family dynamics, particularly concerning children’s welfare. This checklist enables professionals to gauge various dimensions of drug use patterns, the home environment, the provision of basic necessities, drug procurement, health risks, social network influences, and the perceived implications of drug use on parental responsibilities. By implementing this checklist, caregivers and professionals can gain insights into potential risk factors and protective elements relating to parental substance use.

Authors and Contact Email

Information not available

Purpose

The purpose of this checklist is to assess the risks and implications of parental drug habits on family structure and children’s safety, considering multiple facets of familial and social dynamics influenced by substance use.

Test Year

1997

Administration Method and Scoring

The checklist employs a numerical scoring system, whereby items are categorized into three levels of concern. The responses are scored as follows:
– -1 = Positive (positive – congratulate)
– 1 = Transitional (somewhat an issue)
– 2 = Problematic (requires immediate attention)
– ? = Unsure (further information required or N/A)

Reliability and Validity

Information not available

Factors and Subscales

Factors assessed in the checklist include:
– Pattern of parental drug use
– Accommodation and home environment
– Provision of basic necessities
– Procurement of drugs
– Health risks
– Family’s social network and support systems
– Parents’ perception of the situation

Keywords

Parental drug use, risk assessment, family dynamics, children’s welfare, substance abuse

Items of ‘Parent/Care-Giver Drug Issues Checklist’

1. The pattern of parental drug use
– Is there a drug-free parent, supportive partner or relative?
– Is the drug use by the parent Experimental? Recreational? Chaotic? Dependent?
– Does the user move between categories at different times? Does the drug use also involve alcohol or a combination of drugs?
– Are the levels of care different from when the parent is/was a non-user?
– Is there any evidence of coexistence of mental health problems alongside the drug use? If there is, do the drugs cause these problems, or have these problems led to the drug use?

2. Accommodation and home environment
– Is accommodation adequate for children?
– Are parents ensuring that rent and bills are paid?
– Does the family remain in one area or move frequently? If the latter, why?
– Are other drug users sharing the accommodation? If they are, are relationships with them harmonious, or is there conflict?
– Is the family living in a drug using community?
– If parents are using drugs, do children witness the taking of the drugs, or other substances?
– Could other aspects of the drug use constitute a risk to children (eg. conflict with or between dealers, exposure to criminal activities related to drug use)?
– Does the alcohol or other drug use contribute to any domestic violence issues?

3. Provision of basic necessities
– Is there adequate food, clothing and warmth for the children?
– Are the children attending school regularly?
– Are children engaged in age-appropriate activities?
– Are the children’s emotional needs being adequately met?
– Are there any indications that any of the children are taking on a parenting role within the family (eg. caring for other children, excessive household responsibilities, etc.)?

4. Procurement of drugs
– Are the children being left alone while their parents are procuring drugs?
– Because of their parent’s drug use, are the children being taken to places where they could be “at risk”?
– How much are the drugs costing?
– How is the money obtained?
– Is this causing financial problems?
– Are the premises being used to sell drugs?
– Are the parents allowing their premises to be used by other drug users?

5. Health risks
– If drugs and/or injecting equipment are kept on the premises, are they kept securely?
– Are the children aware of where the drugs are kept?
– If the parents are intravenous drug users:
– Do they share injecting equipment?
– Do they use a needle exchange scheme?
– How do they dispose of syringes?
– Are parents aware of the health risks of injecting or using drugs?
– If parents are on a substitute prescribing program, such as methadone:
– Are parents aware of the dangers of children accessing this medication?
– Do they take adequate precautions to ensure this does not happen?
– Are parents aware of, and in touch with, local specialist agencies who can advise on issues such as needle exchanges, substitute prescribing programs, detox, and rehabilitation facilities? If they are in touch with agencies, how regular is the contact?

6. Family’s social network and support systems
– Do parents and children associate primarily with:
– Other drug users?
– Non-users?
– Both?
– Are relatives aware of the drug use?
– Are they supportive?
– Will the parents accept help from the relatives?
– Will the parents accept help from statutory/non-statutory agencies?

7. Parents’ perception of the situation
– Do the parents see their drug use as harmful to themselves or to their children?
– Do the parents place their own needs before the needs of their children?
– Are the parents aware of the legislative and procedural context applying to their circumstances (eg. child protection procedures, statutory powers, other legal issues)?

References

This checklist can be found at: http://www.drugnet.bizland.com/assessment/checklis1.htm