Accused drug sisters moved

A five-year-old girl at the centre of a drug-taking scandal will be forced to undergo continous random drug tests, it was learned last night.

The girl and her sisters, aged 10 and 13, all face random drug tests by the Department of Health and Community Services.

The family has also been moved to a Family and Community Services' (FACS) approved safe house.

The Northern Territory News last week revealed the five-year-old's cannabis habit. Her sisters were also allegedly taking drugs.

All three children were also allegedly drinking alcohol.

After the story and photographs of the children using a bong were published, the department stepped in and police launched their own investigation into the claims.

Family and Community Services Minister Marion Scrymgour said the family was forced to take part in a managed assistance program.

Any violation of the set program would result in further intervention by FACS.

One of the intervention options open to FACS is applying to have the children deemed children at risk by the courts and have them removed from their mother's care.

The program, set down by FACS, includes:

RANDOM drug testing of the children;

MOVING the family away from the area to stay with a family friend, who has been assessed by FACS as responsible person.

Long-term alternative accommodation options are being assessed;

SPECIALIST workers from a non-government organisation to visit the family to provide intensive help;

ORDERING that the children will regularly attend school.

Specialist school staff will ensure this happens.

NEGOTIATING for the non-government organisations, who had previously worked with the family to provide further help with adolescent issues and financial counselling.

``This Managed Assistance Program will ensure that the children are not exposed to any drug or alcohol use, that they attend school regularly, and that they live in an environment which promotes their wellbeing,'' Ms Scrymgour said.

``Any violation of this arrangement will result in a reassessment of the program.''

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 7th April 2004
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Edith Bevin
Url: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Copyright: 2004 Northern Territory News