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Drugs - Methamphetamines & Children

Introduction
Children who are exposed to methamphetamines (meth) are exposed to toxic chemicals. They are exposed to these poisons if the children are in places where meth is smoked or made. Other people who enter these places are also exposed to the toxins.

Children who live in these environments may also be exposed to other unhealthy living conditions such as easy access to dangerous chemicals, parents or caregivers sleeping so deeply, at times, that they do not wake up to care for the children, and where the parents may not tend to the child's needs when they are awake. Some of these children are sexually abused.

These drug endangered children often experience short- and long-term health problems, test positive for methamphetamine, and suffer from neglect and abuse.

Why are children more susceptible than adults to chemical exposure??
The unique physiological characteristics and age-related behaviors of young children leave them particularly vulnerable to the health effects of toxic chemical exposures.

Physiology and Behaviors of Children
The following characteristics of children may make them even more vulnerable to the meth left in their environment by people who smoke or make meth.

• They have higher metabolic and respiratory rates and take in the meth more quickly.
• Their rapid growth rate means that their growing organs are vulnerable.
• Children often crawl and touch floors and walls and tend to put their hands in their mouths, so the chemicals they touch will go into their bodies through their mouths
• They are curious and may climb and reach dangerous chemicals, or drink or eat chemicals not intended for them.

• Poor hygiene
• Malnourishment
• Respiratory ailments

 What happens when the children are found in a meth lab?
Most drug endangered children are discovered or rescued during law enforcement actions relating to their parents or caregivers. If ignored and left unmonitored, these children continue to be victims caught in a cycle of drug abuse. They are also at increased risk for neglect, physical and sexual abuse. Children identified at a meth scene must be cleansed from the toxicity of the chemical exposure, and must leave all of their clothing, toys, and possessions behind because they have been contaminated

What about Meth use and Pregnancy?
When you are pregnant, the drugs you take also go to your fetus. The toxicity of the meth manufacturing process is especially dangerous to you and your unborn child. If you or someone in your home is using any illicit drug while you are pregnant, get help immediately. Your health care provider can assist you in locating the resources in your community. If you are having trouble finding a prenatal care provider, you may contact your local county health department (chd). To find the chd serving your Florida county, go to http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdsitelist.htm. All pregnant women and new parents in Florida who have abused drugs during pregnancy are eligible for Healthy Start services. These services are aimed at reducing barriers to getting into treatment, providing support for abstinence and assisting in getting needed health care. To find Healthy Start services in your area, you may go to  http://www.healthystartflorida.com. Here is a list of drug treatment providers.   (http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/)

If you still need help finding treatment, you may contact Florida's Family Health Line [PDF; 31.13kb] by calling the statewide toll-free number 1-800-451-22293

Florida Department of Health Resources

Children with Special Health Care Needs
The Children's Medical Services (CMS) program provides children with special health care needs with a family centered, managed system of care.
(http://www.cms-kids.com/)

Child Protection Team Program
(http://www.cms-kids.com/families/child_protection_safety/child_protection_teams.html)

County Health Departments
For information about the county health department in your county.
(http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdsitelist.htm)

Healthy Start and Healthy Start Coalitions
( http://www.healthystartflorida.com)

Provides free services for pregnant women and newborns including:

• childbirth education
• parenting education
• smoking cessation classes
• breastfeeding education
• nutritional counseling
• confidential counseling
• abstinence support...and much more

Dept. of Health, Bureau of HIV/AIDS website
(http://www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/aids/testing/testing.html )

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/aids/Perinatal/PERINATAL.html
Information regarding pregnant women at risk for HIV or substance abuse

Poison Information Centers
(http://poisoncentertampa.org)


Florida's Response

 

In response to the increasing methamphetamine problem, state agencies and communities in Florida are forming interdisciplinary teams to identify the children at risk, implement response policies, and develop resources to appropriately meet the children's needs. Florida Department of Health is a partner with the Florida Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. For more information go to: http://www.floridadec.org

For More in Depth Information
You can learn more about the dangers of methamphetamine and drug labs by checking out the following resources and publications on the Web.

Meth and Child Welfare [PDF; 2.57mb] - Includes promising Solutions for Children, Parents, and Grandparents and provides a set of recommendations to improve the child welfare system's ability to counteract the impact of methamphetamine (meth) use on children, families, and communities. (http://ipath.gu.org/documents/A0/Meth_Child_Welfare_Final_cover.pdf)

Meth Free Florida
http://www.methfreefl.org/

Perinatal Meth Meth- Exposed Children: A Practical Intervention Guide  [PDF; 77.68kb] - Rizwan Z. Shah, M.D., presentation made at National Conference on Women, Addiction and Recovery.
(http://womenandchildren.treatment.org/documents/PDF/Session%20C/C6%20Rizwan%20Shah%20FINAL.pdf)

National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children
(http://www.nationaldec.org/)

A Survival Guide for Parents of Teenagers, Teens and Meth [PDF, 149KB]
Fact sheet produced by the University of Minnesota
(http://fsos.che.umn.edu/img/assets/16189/Teens&Meth2004.pdf)


 

The Anti-Drug Campaign
Find ways parents can be an anti-drug..
(http://www.theantidrug.com/)

   Building Blocks for a Healthy Future - SAMHSA‛s website where parents, caregivers, and teachers of children aged 3 to 6 can find lots of great tips, materials, and ideas for spending time with their children and learning together.
(http://bblocks.samhsa.gov/)

2003 CASA National Survey of American Attitudes on Substance Abuse VIII: Teens and Parents
Site provides a downloadable copy of the report specifying the five risk factors that increase the risk of teen substance abuse.
(http://www.casacolumbia.org/)

Girl Power
Find fun games, puzzles, web links and free stuff at this site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help encourage and motivate 9- to 13- year-old girls to make the most of their lives. Look for the Girl Power! Site.
(http://www.girlshealth.gov)

National Youth Anti-Drug Campaign
This Office of National Drug Control Policy website includes information on marijuana and other substance abuse prevention, parents resources and a Message Maker which allows you to create stickers, magnets, t-shirts, and more to express your anti-drug ideas.
(http://www.mediacampaign.org/)

A Survival Guide for Parents of Teenagers, Teens and Meth (149 KB PDF -- you may need to download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the document).
Fact sheet produced by the University of Minnesota
(http://fsos.che.umn.edu/img/assets/16189/Teens&Meth2004.pdf)


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African American Brain Truest on Eliminating Racial Disparities in Substance Abuse Policies- This is a webcast with panelists discussing recommendations and strategies for implementing findings of the National African American Drug Policy Coalition Blue Ribbon Commission on Racial Disparities in Substance Abuse Policies. The Brain trust was a part of the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Weekend 2006.
(http://www.naadpc.org/)

National Office of Drug Control Policy
Site includes overview of drug use statistics and drug prevention efforts in the state of Florida (http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/statelocal/fl/index.html) from the National Office of Drug Control Policy.
(http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/index.html)

National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP)
(http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/

Responding to Methamphetamine Washington State's Promising Example [PDF; 331kb]
(http://www.ncpc.org/cms/cms-upload/ncpc/files/RespondtoMeth.pdf

Women Under the Influence, Florida's Blueprint [PDF; 2.28mb]

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