A rehabilitation centre, open to women across Scotland seeking help with their drug or alcohol use while being able to remain with their children, has been officially opened in Dundee.

Cowan Grove, developed in partnership with Hillcrest Homes, is the second national family-focused intervention programme to be opened in Scotland in the last year.

Its first residents were admitted in December, with a total of four women and their children under-5 able to be supported by the Dundee-based facility at one time.

The residential centre, run by children’s charity Aberlour, says it will support women – who can be referred from all over Scotland – for as long as they need help, even after returning home.

Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance said:

“We know there is a strong link between women having children removed from their care and risk of drug related death. Keeping mothers and their children together can enhance the effectiveness of treatment and lessen any harmful impact on children.

“That is why I am very pleased to officially open Cowan Grove which further improves the provision of residential rehabilitation services.

“Supporting people into recovery is a key part of our national mission and our commitment to Keep the Promise, which aims to give families the support they need to stay together.” 

The development comes months after a national family rehabilitation service, operated by Phoenix Futures, opened in North Ayrshire.

Harper House welcomes both men and women seeking drug and alcohol treatment, allowing up to 20 families with children up to the age of ten to stay together during their parent’s 12-26 weeks of treatment.

Both Harper House and Cowan Grove are funded through the government’s Residential Rehabilitation Rapid Capacity Programme, and will contribute towards the Scottish government’s aim to treble the number of publicly funded residential rehabilitation places to 1,000 by 2026.

A total of 1,330 people in Scotland lost their lives due to drugs use in 2021.

A comprehensive independent review of health inequalities in Scotland led by the Health Foundation found drug related deaths are 18 times higher in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived.

The Dundee house is the first of two new Aberlour rehabilitation facilities to be opened, supported by £5.5m. The second is due to accept its first residents in Central Scotland in 2024.

Aberlour Chief Executive SallyAnn Kelly OBE said:

“We are proud to be opening our Mother and Child recovery house in Dundee. It offers a unique rehabilitation service enabling women with problem drug and alcohol issues to keep their young children alongside them as they recover.

“Too many women with these issues were previously refusing to engage with support agencies for fear of their children being removed and taken into care. The house will help to improve outcomes for these women and children, reduce deaths of mothers with problem drug use, avoid family breakdown and increase the likelihood of children being cared for by their parents.

“There has already been a very positive response to the new recovery house with applications from all across Scotland and we are very grateful to the Scottish government for funding this much needed but wonderful new facility. We look forward to opening another in the next year in Central Scotland.”

 

Read more: Family rehab pilot site secured; Analysis: Drugs and alcohol in the Scottish Health Survey;  Drugs oversight group chair appointed

 

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