Irresponsible parents
 The case of a mother fined £80 for buying alcohol for two of her children, aged 13 and 15, has led to a police warning of "irresponsible parents".
Police have called on parents to take more responsibility for their children. Police chiefs are accusing parents of showing ignorance and complacency in the face of widespread cannabis use among teenage children.
The Association of Chief Police Officers says many parents do not understand the serious health risks of newer, more potent strains of the drug.
Teachers are being forced to deal with pupils' anti-social and disruptive behaviour because it's not being tackled at home. Mr Hart says it is parents who are to blame for bad behaviour, other believes the causes lie elsewhere.
A head teachers' leader has warned of the danger of giving "irresponsible parents" power in schools. David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, was referring to the government's strategy of reinforcing parents' roles.
That could send the wrong message to irresponsible parents, he said.
"Giving more power to those parents who lack responsibility is like putting an alcoholic in charge of a bar," he told his annual conference.
Some families "condemn their children to a life in crime" by colluding in truancy, David Hart, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers said.
He argued that many young people lack good parental role . And he is set to go as far as blaming poor parenting for everything from a child's bad diet and obesity to the neglect of homework and reliance on Play Stations as "free baby-sitters".
"I think we have got to do everything to make sure we are tackling not just anti-social behaviour today, but preventing the next generation of people growing up with signs of anti-social behaviour in the future". (Louise Casey, Government Respect CO-ORDINATOR)
If you need help and advice on the most effective means of bringing up your children, you can attend the Happy Parenting meetings taking place at 11am on Saturdays. Please call 020 7686 6000 for locations.
Released Friday 19th September 2008
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