DRUG using fathers are to receive classes in mindfulness, coping with pressure, managing substance use and connecting with their child in a trial of a radical Australian parenting programme.

Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University, say most evidence-based parenting programmes are not tested for their effectiveness with drug-using parents and even fewer work with fathers.

Agencies working with troubled families also often focus on the mother and exclude the father, but academics believe that if dads can be helped to play a fuller role, and cope better with being a parent, it will have a positive impact on their children’s lives and the wellbeing of the family as a whole,

The two year programme will see fathers taking part in 12 modules over six months, to help them cope with their own emotions, relationship difficulties and playing with children and managing children's behaviour when things go wrong. Mindfulness techniques taught in the Parents Under Pressure (PuP) programme included basic relaxation and breathing techniques.

The University will work with a social work service PrePare, and family support agency Circle to find and recruit 24 families with a drug using father and at least one pre-school age child.

Chief investigator Dr Anne Whittaker, of Edinburgh Napier’s School of Health & Social Care, said: “Contrary to popular belief, research shows that many drug-using men want to be good dads and are often more involved and committed than people think."

In many cases men are involved in the upbringing of their children, even if they are absent from the family home, so it can be beneficial to intervene and help them as much as possible, she said. The programme will include work to help improve personal relationships and tackle domestic violence where that is an issue, and mental techniques to help the fathers manage any cravings that might lead to a relapse.

However it will also make it easier to intervene and protect children where there are any child protection concerns, she added:

"Our own research has shown that dads on methadone can be surprisingly emotional about their relationship with their children and try their best to lessen the impact of drug addiction on the family.

“However, they are often ignored or treated as part of the problem rather than part of the solution. Given the right support, we believe fathers could benefit from this parenting intervention as much as drug-using mothers do, and this research aims to find out if this is possible."