Cansford says: Pioneering family court expands in the London area

The pioneering Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) will be expanded across London after its remarkable success in tackling substance abuse and keeping families together.

Started by judge Nicholas Crichton in 2008, the court deals with care proceedings where parental substance abuse is a key element. The service aims to help parents stabilise and ultimately halt their substance dependency.

The FDAC process offers families a tailored range of services, taking their needs, concerns and strengths into account.Regular testing for drugs and alcohol is an important part of the FDAC approach. A hair strand test is taken at the start of the process, followed by consistent testing on a weekly basis. A final hair strand test takes place near the end of proceedings to measure a parent’s progress.

The hair strand test performed at the start of proceedings establishes a clear baseline for subsequent initiatives. This initial test is followed by a weekly or bi-weekly regimen of oral mouth swab or urine screens to document progress culminating in a final hair strand test near the end of the process, when the custody decision is made.

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The combination of patience, regular testing and bespoke support has yielded phenomenal results. Research conducted in 2016 showed 40% of FDAC mothers stopped misusing drug or alcohol misuse by the end of proceedings - significantly higher than the 25% in similar, non-FDAC care proceedings.

The model has also proven sustainable. An impact study by the Centre for Justice Innovation showed that taxpayers saved £2.30 for every £1 spent on the FDAC court.

Cansford says:

The expansion of the FDAC is wonderful news. The court has proved itself as a powerful resource for families struggling with the effects of substance abuse.

The FDAC process shows the role that drug and alcohol testing can play in a process designed to keep families together.

Despite the emphasis on testing, the FDAC process isn’t black and white. Parents with dependency issues aren’t expected to go cold turkey. The court is interested in progress: is the parent decreasing their use and is their behaviour improving?

Testing helps track this progress in an essentially non-confrontational way, which reveals an often overlooked aspect of testing as a nuanced tool. Like the FDAC itself, testing needn't be a stark dichotomy. It can support therapeutic treatment by providing meaningful measurement.

For decision makers and care workers, testing presents objective data. It’s not influenced by opinions or apparent behaviour. It cuts out the waffle, and allows the process to begin at the truth of what the person is taking and how frequently.

This deepens the court’s understanding of the individual and the family in need. The FDAC’s tailored approach relies on familiarity - of which the person’s chemical profile, gained through testing, is a vital part.

For the parents, progressive testing helps reliably document their improving behaviour, lowering the risks of separation from their children. It’s an evidence based approach, supplemented by extensive support and encouragement by social workers - and it helps the parents feel listened-to.

The FDAC’s success proves that testing has a role within care proceedings where substance abuse is a factor. It’s more than evidence: it’s a means to help professionals understand the nature of an individual’s addiction.

The goal of testing within the FDAC process is not to punish or catch out, but to provide a reliable record of the recovery process. The FDAC’s results speak for themselves, and ultimately the end result - the positive impact on the lives of parents and children - is immeasurable.

Drug and alcohol testing are powerful tools in legal proceedings. To find out how it can help your case, get in touch for an impartial and free opinion on your business' current drug policy.