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Drug Endangered Children: Parental Methamphetamine Use and Manufacture. Patricia Marinelli-Casey, Ph.D. Nena Messina, Ph.D. UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs Western Conference on Addictions Universal City, CA November 11, 2005. Most frequently :
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Drug Endangered Children: Parental Methamphetamine Use and Manufacture Patricia Marinelli-Casey, Ph.D. Nena Messina, Ph.D. UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs Western Conference on Addictions Universal City, CA November 11, 2005
Most frequently: Infants/Children who suffer abuse and neglect because of their caretaker’s substance abuse and/or manufacture Who Are Drug Endangered Children?
Poor Parenting Issues Toxic exposure to precursor chemicals MA lab fire and explosions Exposure to illegal activities (if they’re cooking, they’re selling) What Are the Dangers to Childrenin MA Environment?
Children Whose Parents Abuse Drugs & Alcohol Have: • 2.7 greater chance of abuse • 4.2 greater chance of neglect • Lack of Essential Food • Lack of Hygienic Home & Care • Inappropriate Sleeping Conditions • Lack of Medical / Dental Treatment • Lack of Supervision
Parenting Issues With MA Use • Neglect, long periods of sleep • Inconsistent, paranoid behavior • Irritability, short fuse, physical abuse • Exposure to violence, unsavory characters • Potential for sexual abuse • Poor supervision • Chaotic home environment • Mental health issues • Unhealthy living conditions
High Incidence of Domestic Violence in MA-Abusing Homes • Threatening notes • Dangerous & stressful environment for children
Total of All Children Affected at MA Lab Incidents Calendar Year 2004 110 9 22 54 6 9 33 1 13 9 46 95 8 8 110 22 163 12 63 9 14 74 273 43 7 356 MA 2 MD 0 RI 0 189 243 AK 15 HI 1 59 189 52 67 17 60 118 88 76 16 50 Source: National Clandestine Laboratory Database Total: 2,869 Dates: 01/01/04 to 12/01/04
MA Manufacturing: Severe Chemical Hazards • Manufacturing adds criminal charges, complicating child custody, placement, & family rehabilitation
Accidental ingestion of chemicals Contaminated food Explosion Fire Inhalation and exposure to toxic fumes & chemicals MA Lab Dangers
Long-term effects are unknown Current information is from OSHA-based studies Adult outcomes Acute exposures Effects of Exposure???
Respiratory problems Dental problems Liver problems Dermatologic problems Developmental “Cautions” or “Delays” Preliminary Findings(Low-level Exposure)
Through the eyesof a child… A four year old child draws pictures of the meth lab in his parents’ home. October 23, 2002
National Headlines • Toddler Overdoses on Meth • Child Ingests Chemicals • Oregon Toddler Overdosed on Meth • 2-year-old Tortured/Killed While Parents High on Meth • Baby Overdoses, Mother Arrested • Arizonan beheads 14-year-old Son While High on Meth • Meth Lab Blows Leaves Badly Burned Child • 8-week-old Dead in Motel Meth Lab • 3 Kids Die in Mobile Home Blast
Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Project • Created to break the cycle of “child abuse” caused by those who manufacture, sell and use drugs – with focus on MA • Created a collaborative, multi-disciplinary response to children discovered in MA labs • at the specific case level • at the community and services level
DEC RESPONSE TEAM • CORE TEAM MEMBERS: • Law Enforcement • Child Protective Services • District Attorney’s Office • Medical Personnel • “AUXILIARY” TEAM MEMBERS: • Mental health & therapeutic personnel for children • Environmental services, fire, & public health • Drug treatment providers for parents and family members
California DEC Pilot Study(1997) • 7 CA Counties with DEC Response Teams • Served over 4,000 children taken from MA labs • 38% of the children removed tested positive for MA & exhibited high incidence of medical problems
National Accomplishments 2004: 4,200 people trained in 25 states. • National DEC Alliance & Training Coordinator • National Medical Protocol • Science Research • National Logo • 1st National DEC Conference (6/04-CO) • 2nd National DEC Conference (8/05-DC)
National DEC Alliance Ronald V. Mullins, National DEC Training Coordinator (619) 557-7736 Ronald.Mullins2@usdoj.gov OR WWW.NATIONALDEC.ORG San Diego, California
PUBLIC AWARENESS Photo: Courtesy of R. Mullins, National DEC Coordinator, San Diego, CA
MA Research • Current reports describe effects in habitual users • Exposures are not relevant to typical DEC scenario • Endpoints are not of greatest concern for children • New data needed to document the spectrum of adverse effects of MA on children • Provide a foundation for additional research
Future Research • Currently no comprehensive information about the needs of this special population of children • Data collection from 1997 Pilot was minimal • Lack of statistical data – masked the significance of the issue
UCLA/DCFS 2-Year Pilot Study UCLA ISAP & L.A. DCFS: DEC Partnership • N. Messina: PI, P. Marinelli-Casey & R. Rawson: Co-PIs • Analyze existing DEC case data • Medical problems • Respiratory, dental, dermatological, etc… • Developmental problems • Child welfare placement outcomes • Foster care, kinship care, adoption, TPR