Joseph A. Califano Jr.

An increase in parental substance abuse is in large part responsible for an increase in child abuse, claims Joseph A. Califano Jr. in the following viewpoint. Califano contends that the homes of abused children are further disrupted when their parents are imprisoned for drug-related felonies. Califano argues that the child welfare system needs to create incentives so that caring and responsible adults will be available to adopt these children, preventing further abuse. Califano, U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from 1977 to 1979, is president of the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University in New York City.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Califano, what percentage of child welfare spending is used to address problems associated with parental substance abuse and addiction"
2. What, in the...