Child Abuse and
Neglect
Author: Kathryn Wells, MD
Medical Director
Denver Family Crisis Center
(720) 944-3747
E-Mail:
Dr. Kathryn Wells
There are several
aspects of child abuse and neglect in drug-endangered homes. The
environments themselves are frequently so dangerous that simply allowing a
child to live there constitutes child endangerment. Substance abuse also
affects the caregiver's ability to parent, placing the child at additional
risk for abuse and neglect.
It has been shown
that a large portion (80 - 90%) of caretakers involved in the child
welfare system for child abuse issues have substance abuse as one of the
major personal issues that they face. Substance abuse is believed to cause
or exacerbate 7 out of 10 cases of child abuse and neglect. In fact,
children whose parents abuse drugs and alcohol are three times more likely
to be abused and four times more likely to be neglected (No Safe Haven:
Children of Substance-Abusing Parents, The National Center on Addiction
and Substance Abuse at Columbia, January, 1999).
Clandestine
Methamphetamine labs ("Meth labs") create an environment that is so
dangerous that some states have made allowing children to live there even
part of the time to constitute child endangerment/abuse/neglect. About 30
- 35% of Meth labs seized are in residences where children live. Children
are at an increased risk in a Meth lab environment because of their
physiologic status (higher rates of growth, metabolism, respiration, and
development) and their behaviors (hand-to-mouth behaviors and increased
contact with their physical environment). At least two reports have
demonstrated that 35 - 70% of children removed from labs have a urine drug
screen that is positive for Methamphetamine at the time of removal from
the home.
The specific
hazards to children living in these labs are numerous. The children are
exposed to toxic chemicals and are at risk on inhalation of toxic fumes.
Clothing and skin contact of improperly stored chemicals, chemical waste
dumped in play areas, and potential explosions and fires (the specific
risks of the different chemicals are outlined in the Clandestine Lab
section) are also possible. They are frequently exposed to a hazardous
environment which often includes accessible drugs, exposure to drug users,
cooks and dealers, hypodermic needles within reach of children, accessible
glass smoking pipes, razor blades and other drug paraphernalia, weapons
left accessible and booby traps placed to "protect" the clandestine
laboratory and its contents from intruders.
The use of
illegal drugs or excessive amounts of alcohol affects the caregiver's
judgment, rendering them unable to provide the consistent, supervision and
guidance that children need for appropriate development. Therefore,
substance abuse in adults is a critical factor in the child welfare
system. With specific reference to Methamphetamine, children are
frequently neglected during their caregiver's long periods of sleep while
"crashing" from a drug binge. The caregiver's also frequently display
inconsistent and paranoid behavior, especially if they are using
Methamphetamine. They are often irritable and have a "short fuse" which
may ultimately lead to physical abuse. Children in these homes are often
exposed to violence as well as unsavory individuals. Unfortunately, these
caregivers were often not parented well themselves and therefore did not
learn effective parenting skills.
Finally, the
caregiver's ability to provide a nurturing home for a child is complicated
by the caregiver's own mental health issues which may have contributed to
or resulted from substance abuse.
Children whose
caregivers are substance abusers are frequently neglected. They often do
not have enough food, are not adequately groomed, do not have appropriate
sleeping conditions, and usually have not had adequate medical or dental
care. These children are frequently not well supervised, placing them at
additional risk of injury. Children raised by substance-abusing caregivers
are often exposed to pornographic material, often emotionally abused and
have a heightened risk for sexual abuse. Additionally, they frequently do
not get the appropriate amount of support, encouragement, discipline, and
guidance they need to thrive.
It is clear for
many reasons that caregivers who are using illegal substances or excessive
amounts of alcohol are not able to provide safe and nurturing homes for
their children. It is for this reason that multiple agencies (law
enforcement, fire departments, EMS, social services, the medical
community, public health departments, the judicial system, legislators,
substance abuse and mental health treatment providers and our entire
communities) need to work together to first and foremost assure that these
children are safe and then work to break the cycle to improve the futures
for our children, our families, and our communities.
|
Meth & Pregnancy Abuse/Neglect Medical Evaluations Caring for DEC
Introduction Exposure Signs Living with Meth DEC DEC Reporting Dr. Wells Papers Dr. Shah Biography DEC Links
Research:
Newborn's Hair Test of Mom's Meth
Use
Research:
Meth
Use Restricts Fetal Growth |