Dundee facility the first of two run by children’s charity Aberlour.
A national residential rehabilitation service designed to support women and their children through recovery has been officially opened in Dundee.
Cowan Grove, which was developed in partnership with Hillcrest Homes, admitted its first residents in December and can support four women and their children up to the age of five at any one time.
The Scottish Government has committed £5.5 million in funding over this parliamentary term to support the development of this facility and a further house in Central Scotland.
The services will enable children of women with problematic substance use to stay with their mothers during their recovery.
– Graeme
I welcome the opening of this new recovery house, that will greatly help women and their children.
During their recovery, women with alcohol and drug abuse issues are able to keep their young children by their side. It is a unique rehabilitation service.
Previously, too many women with these issues refused to receive assistance from support agencies due to fear of their children being taken away. This recovery house will enhance the health and wellbeing of these women and children, reduce the number of fatalities related to mothers who struggle with drug abuse, prevent family breakdowns, and increase the chance that children are cared for by their mothers.
The Aberlour development comes two months after the First Minister opened a national family rehabilitation service run by the charity Phoenix Futures in North Ayrshire. Harper House also accepts referrals from across Scotland.
– Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance
We know there is a strong link between women having children removed from their care and risk of drug related death. Keeping mothers and their children together can enhance the effectiveness of treatment and lessen any harmful impact on children.
That is why I am very pleased to officially open Cowan Grove which further improves the provision of residential rehabilitation services.
Supporting people into recovery is a key part of our national mission and our commitment to Keep the Promise, which aims to give families the support they need to stay together.”
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