The Policy Research Bureau, an independent research organisation, was commissioned by the Department of Health in June 2005 to undertake a study on interventions for children and young people with drug-misusing carers in England. When the Policy Research Bureau ceased operations in March 2007 the research was transferred to the Tavistock Institute, where it was completed.

This report is the output of Department of Health commissioned research as part of Phase II of their Drug Misuse Research Initiative (DMRI), Research on Understanding Treatment Experiences and Services (ROUTES).

This initiative has funded ten studies in areas related to drug treatment, with the aim of developing an evidence base to underpin the delivery of future services in the field of drug misuse.