Are Youngsters in Foster Care More Likely to Use Substances?
Submitted by Ally
- 3 April 2017
New research from Cardiff University has found:
- Weekly smoking rates among 11 - 16-year-olds in foster care are almost 8 times higher when compared to those reported by youngsters of the same age who live with both their parents.
- Weekly smoking rates among 11 - 16-year-olds in foster care are almost 4 times higher when compared to those reported by youngers of the same age who live with a single mother.
Dr Sara Long from Cardiff University explains:
“Young people living in foster care experience significantly worse outcomes than young people not in care […] Our research highlights a real need for the development and evaluation of interventions to improve wellbeing, and reduce substance use among young people in foster care.”
