Too many of the nation's children are exposed to alcoholism and drug abuse when they grow up, according to the newly-named social minister. But that can be avoided if more is done to enlighten their parents, Annette Vilhelmsen (Socialistisk Folkeparti) announced this week at the party's summer group meeting.
This autumn, Vilhelmsen wants to introduce a solution to take better care of marginalised children who are in risk of ending up as alcoholics or drug addicts. Vilhelmsen's plan is to offer new parents and parents-to-be the opportunity to enrol in a course in their local council, informing them on pregnancy, economics, child care and family relations.
Earlier this year, Holstebro Council in Jutland was the first to implement an intensive 16-step parenting course, ensuring that parents get a solid knowledge of how to raise their child. Since then, 90 percent of new parents in the council have been taking advantage of the offer.
Save councils money in the long run
The course will cost participating councils 5,000 kroner per family, but the social minister argued that the course would help councils cut down on social expenses in the long run. Based on the experiences in Holstebro, Vilhelmsen is positive that the parenting course is the best way to ensure that babies will get the best start on their lives.
"It doesn't take a driver's licence to have children, but it takes something. When society can prevent families from having serious problems, we have a great responsibility to do so," she told Politiken newspaper.
Programme will focus on children of addicts
The social minister hopes the programme will especially help marginalised children who grow up in homes where one parent is an alcoholic or a drug addict.
“120,000 children grow up in homes with alcohol abuse. This will often have a huge impact on their lives. That is why we need to make a distinct effort to help these children,” Vilhelmsen told DR.
She wants the parenting courses to be taken up by parliament in the next session, but she said there is no guarantee that money will be spend on the issue.
