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This proposal outlines the establishment of a multi-disciplinary integrated response system targeted at children exposed to illicit drug activities. It addresses the alarming rise in methamphetamine-related cases, highlighting the dangers faced by minors in environments tainted by drug abuse. By fostering partnerships between law enforcement, medical professionals, social services, and community organizations, the program aims to ensure the protection and well-being of affected children. Training protocols and evaluation methods are also discussed to sustain effective service delivery.
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Drug Endangered Child Program (DEC) A Proposal for a Multi-Disciplinary Integrated Response System
Contents • Overview • Purpose • Mission and Values • Partnerships/Roles • Training • Protocols/Continuum of Care • Evaluation • References
Overview • Nationally: • Drugs, $, and weapons are typical seizures by LE agents during “controlled buys” or clandestine lab raids; • Growing phenomenon of children exposed to the production, sale, and use of illicit drugs
Overview • 500% increase in cases where Methamphetamine is drug of choice in TX programs (Manning, 1999) • San Diego – Methamphetamine Capital • Production: multi-level, organized criminal enterprise & “mom & pop shops” • Every state, county, and city now faced with the need to respond • CY2004: 82/129 CHIPS Petitions - SLC • CY2001-04: SLC Sheriff -29 meth labs
Overview • Methamphetamine (Meth) • Man made, extremely addictive, CNS stimulant. It is extremely powerful • Known as: crank, ice, crystal, glass, speed, mud, or chalk, etc • Smoked, snorted, orally ingested, or injected
OverviewEffects on Users • Intense, pleasurable “high” last several hours; • Followed by an equally intense “crash” • Addicts: extreme paranoia, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, violence, depression, insomnia; • Health: increased BP & heart rate, dopamine depletion, kidney & liver
OverviewMethamphetamine Production • Drug Cartels – Organized Crime • Local Labs – Urbane, Rural • Private Homes/Apartments • Hotels/Motels • Storage Facilities • Hunting Shacks/Cabins • Ice House, • etc
Meth Labs - Dangers • Fires • Explosions • Toxic Waste Sites • Inhalation and exposure to toxic fumes and chemicals • Accidental ingestion of chemicals and contaminated foods • Chaos & poor supervision • Adults involved in criminal behavior
Meth Labs/Homes - Hazards • Drugs and drug paraphernalia • Booby traps • Guns & weapons • Exposed wiring • Chemicals in refrigerators • Strangers
Dangers of Meth Labs • Chemical hazards from cooking process • Solvents • Corrosives • Toxics • Reactives
OverviewDangers For Children • Individuals involved in the production, sale, and use of Methamphetamine exhibit chaotic lifestyles; • Their children are at significant risk of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and drug-related violence by family members and the array of strangers who enter the home to buy or use drugs (Harris, 2004)
Purpose • Community Responses to “Big Problems” • 1980’s – Domestic Violence & DAIP • 1990’s – Child Sexual Abuse & 1st Witness • 2000’s – Drugs and Drug Endangered Child Programs
Purpose • Ensure children exposed to the production, use, and sale of illicit drugs receive community specific service delivery that meets their unique needs; • Facilitate the identification and collaboration of various disciplines • Build coalitions; Meth Task Force • Jointly develop discipline-specific protocols (review, revise, finalize, & publish)
Purpose • Coordinate a multi-disciplinary integrated response to children • Team meetings, cross training, goals • Provide direct service to children • Organize neighborhoods & communities • Participate in the development and implementation of creative community support programming; Shared Family Care Program • Search for funding • Evaluate
Mission • To Protect, • Promote, and • Improve the health and quality of life in St. Louis County
Values • Safety • Permanency • Well Being • Collaboration • Dedication
Partnerships • Law Enforcement • Assume investigatory duties at the site of the production, sale, or use of illicit drugs • State • Municipal • Tribal • County
Partnerships • Fire, EMT, HAZMAT Team • Assist in the management of environmental hazards from production • Testing • Clean-up
Partnerships • Medical • Develop protocols • Conduct medical evaluations & screenings to ensure the child’s physical and mental health needs are met
Partnerships • Justice • County Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with municipalities and Tribal authorities, would be responsible for litigation of criminal drug cases and juvenile child protection (CHIPS) cases; • Public defenders and victim’s advocacy would be a positive addition
Partnerships • Public and Tribal Social Services • Intake workers will provide for immediate protection and safety; gather forensic data; transport for evaluation and address placement need • DEC social worker will initiate the development of the DEC program; assume co-coordination with public health • Identify team members, build coalitions, develop protocols, coordinate responses, facilitate team meetings, etc.
Partnerships • Public & Tribal Social Services • DEC worker will conduct adjunctive home visitations with families and children in concert with pubic and tribal case managers to ensure safety and well-being (Kitzmann, 1997) • DEC worker will assist in the recruitment, initial training, and continuing education of Shared Family Care Providers (Barth, 1994)
Partnerships • Public Health • Public Health Nurse (PHN) will initiate development of the DEC program; assume co-coordination with social services; • Identify team members, build coalitions, develop protocols, coordinate responses, facilitate team meetings, etc • PHN will conduct adjunctive home visitation; track safety, well-being and progress
Foster Care ServiceShared Family Care (SFC) • Dual – Adult & Child Licensed Foster Home • Services to parent with chemical health issues and their child(ren) • Provide assistance, mentoring, parent skill training, independent living skills training • Keep family intact; and prepare them for independence (Barth, 1994, 1999; Barth & Price, 2005)
Foster Care ServicesShared Family Care (SFC) • Human Services Roles • Provide dual licensed foster homes • Access to chemical health treatment and support • Provide initial training; continuing education for foster homes • Assistance and support services which facilitates transition to independence within the community
Foster Care ServicesShared Family Care (SFC) • Public Health Role • Pre/Post natal care monitoring • Child development education to parent and provider • Child development monitoring/on-going testing • Child immunizations • Assist with initial training and continuing education of providers • Assist parent(s) with community transition
Training for DEC Teams • Specialized training related to drug cases and child maltreatment – forensic data collection • Drug environments – exposures • Develop specific skill sets • Develop curriculum and training modules for SFC providers/mentors • UMD – CW Spring Conference
Protocols • Develop a response matrix for each discipline or core agency • Identify important responses or action steps as it relates to: • Team member • Their location • Procedure • Timeline • Documentation/reporting
Protocols • Law Enforcement • Assess condition of the child • Place child into protective custody • Collect physical evidence
Protocols • Fire – EMT – HAZMET • Coordination with on-site law enforcement • Stabilization – respond to trauma • Field Assessments - samples • Decontaminations
Protocols • Public and Tribal Social Services • Accept transfer of child & notify DEC Team (SW/PHN) • Arrange for any decontamination of the child; medical evaluations; screenings; etc
Protocols • Public & Tribal Social Services • Conduct initial interviews • Network with foster care workers/providers • Provide community support services • Conduct home visitation • Organize /communities • Provide education/awareness
Protocols • Public Health • Collaborate with law enforcement and child protection services/DEC social worker • Network with the clinical/medical community • Conduct home visitation • Organize neighborhoods/communities • Provide public education/awareness
Protocols • Medical • Emergency • Immediate Treatment • Non-Emergency • Medical Exam • Screenings • Urine/Blood Samples