Theme: Social Science & Policy Research Year: 2024
Background: Birthing-people-who-use-substances (BPWUS) experience an inordinate number of social challenges, putting them and their families at risk for poor outcomes. The Parent-Child-Assistance-Program (PCAP) is a 3-year-program of tailored supports for BPWUS. The current study seeks to understand specific mechanisms that contribute to generational adversity among families of BPWUS. This understanding will inform policy and program recommendations to better support families and disrupt these generational cycles.
Approach: The current study will include data and policy analysis across key themes. The primary data sources include the PCAP Registry and administrative government data. Policy recommendations are based on academic and grey/white literature, and technical reports in each of these areas.
Analysis: Note: results from administrative data will be available at time presentation, current results include the PCAP Registry (n=72). PCAP clients’ parents used substances (85%) and clients started using substances by age 14 (75%). PCAP clients face barriers in education (44% graduated from High School), and employment (74% unemployed), and experience unstable or precarious housing situations (98%). PCAP clients experienced significant adverse childhood experiences (M=6.44/10), have chronic health issues (55%), and their children are at risk for an average of 4 out of 6 ACEs (M=4.25/6). PCAP Clients have high rates of Child Protection involvement as children (72%), and as parents (88%), have experienced criminalization (66%), and been victims of violence (82%).
Conclusion: Data and policy analyses reiterate the need to improve economic supports, implement trauma informed policies, establish harm reduction programs to improve outcomes among families with histories of adversity. Early interventions are crucial and should treat the family as a unit with tailored services. Punitive and stigmatizing policies perpetuate the isolation of families, and prevent social inclusion and meaningful community building. Finally, broad education and awareness-building is essential to recognize the experience of these families, and their value to our communities.
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