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Family judge orders drug addict mother to give up her 14 children
Last updated at 00:07am on 30.01.08A judge has revealed that he has ordered 14 children from the same mother to be taken into care because of her addiction to crack cocaine and other drugs.
Family court judge Nick Crichton spoke out to highlight the growing problem of drug addicts trying to bring up large families.
The 14 children from one family in London were ordered into care by the judge amid fears for their safety.
It is claimed the bill to look after the children is likely to exceed £2million. It costs an average of £25,000 to hear each court case of care proceedings.
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Family court judge Nick Crichton, who revealed details of the mum who has lost all 14 children into care, said it was 'desperate and depressing' to make such rulings
In another case, a heroin addict in Yorkshire had her first three children taken away, but then had seven more by at least three men. One by one they were taken away until she had lost all 10.
The judge, speaking at the launch of the Family, Drug and Alcohol Court in central London yesterday, said: "We are routinely taking into care the fourth, fifth or sixth child from the same birth family.
"It is desperate and so distressing to have to do it."
He admitted the problem was escalating, saying: "It used to be heroin that was the predominant drug but now mothers are using crack cocaine, and crystal meth is just starting. Poly-drugs use is much more prevalent."
The court, based on a U.S. model, will deal with 180 families from three London boroughs in a three-year pilot scheme.
Each parent will have a specialist rehabilitation programme intended to help them overcome addictions so they can look after their children.
Judge Crichton said: "The object is to help this particular mother to hang on to this child. If she can, then she is unlikely to have another child every 12 or 15 months."
The court's first case was adjourned because the father did not turn up.
Reader views (2)
Sorry I can't help financially but would love to be a voluntary helper if you get started.
This kind of charity is well needed all over the world. A friend of mine wants to set up a charity called 'second chance' which would mainly help ex-prisoners get back into work.
I live in Islington, am 40yrs old with no children and an ex-drug addict.
I don't know if you would need someone like me but would love to help, if not I wish you all the best getting started.
- Lisa, London, England
I have worked in frontline services for the past 20 years and agree that this client groups - women and children have been continuously neglected with devastating effects and a waste of taxpayers money.
Intuition Foundation Ltd is a registered charity. It has been difficult to get this project launched as we are new - even though there is a gap in the market and specialists are desperate for the project to start.
For the past two years I have been trying to launch a residential drug treatment service for women with children and pregnant women. I have local authorities supporting the proposal but can't seem to raise the money to secure the premises.
This is a much needed service as there is nothing in the London area which caters fully for this client group. I am at my wits end and need financial backing to secure the house so the charity can start taking referrals.
I gave a presentation at the National Drug Treatment Conference in 2007 and the response has been phenomenal. Without securing the premises the charity is left in a catch 22 situation.
Any letters of supprt for this project would be greatly appreciated. Any financial support would enable the project to start this year.
Angela Edmondson
Intuition Foundation Ltd
Chief Executive
07949 831 882
- Angela Edmondson, London
