Research has revealed the extent of drug and alcohol use amongst children and young people in Wales today. However, the research goes on to demonstrate that a strong father/child relationship can act as a protective factor against the worst of these excesses.

Growing Up with Dad: Fathers and their Impact on Substance Use is the result of the analysis of research carried out by Children in Wales and Catch22 using the Communities that Care Programme. The analysis looked at nearly 18,000 questionnaires completed by young people of secondary school age in Wales. It looks at how the young people rate their relationships with their father and correlates this information with whether they drink, smoke and use cannabis. It also considers what impact the young people's perceptions of their parents attitudes have on their propensity to use substances.

The report was launched by the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government at the Growing Up with Dad Conference at the ESIS Conference Centre, Cardiff on the 9^th of September.  

Report

• Growing Up with Dad: Fathers and their Impact on Substance Use

Conference Presentations

Rob Williams, Chief Executive, Fatherhood Institute: Being a Champion for Dads

Phil Doyle, Interim Director, Catch22: Communities that Care

Tony Ivens, Fatherhood Wales Development Officer, Children in Wales: Fathers and Parental Responsibility

Tony Ivens, Fatherhood Wales Development Officer, Children in Wales: 2010 - European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion