What is a Drug Endangered Child?

  • A Drug Endangered Child is a child from birth to 18 years who lives in, is exposed to, or found in places where controlled substances are sold, manufactured, possessed or used.
  • The Arkansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children is a coalition of professionals assisting local communities to effectively and efficiently identify and protect children endangered by caregivers who produce, distribute or use illegal drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine.
  • The Alliance exists to serve the professional community that serves the drug endangered children population.

The Problem: A Methamphetamine Epidemic in Arkansas

  • According to National Drug Intelligence Center, 2004 statistics, methamphetamine is the #1 drug threat in Arkansas.
  • Since 2000, Arkansas has been ranked as one of the top five states with the highest number of seized Methamphetamine labs per capita.
  • There have been more than 5100 toxic/explosive methamphetamine labs seized in the State from 2000 to July of 2005.
  • Methamphetamine abuse is significantly linked to violent crimes, identity theft and general property crimes.
    • A “Survey of Counties” nationwide indicates that 58% of the responding law enforcement officials indicated that methamphetamine was their number one problem.
    • In some communities, as much as 60% of all crime can be linked to methamphetamine production, use or distribution.

The Problem: Children Exposed to Methamphetamine Use and Production in Arkansas

  • Methamphetamine is threatening the youth of Arkansas and the future of our State.
  • Nationally, one in three methamphetamine labs are reported to have children present.
  • According to the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, Arkansas, in 2004, ranked 5th nationally in the number of children reported to be found where methamphetamine labs have been seized.
    • Children living in methamphetamine labs in Arkansas have been found to be contaminated with methamphetamine and have been injured by exposure to the toxic chemicals in the home.
    • Studies from the National Jewish Medical and Research Center have demonstrated that smoking and cooking methamphetamine contaminates the entire residence with toxic chemical residues.
  • Children are also adversely affected when their caregivers use methamphetamine.
    • Infants born to mothers who have used methamphetamine during pregnancy are at risk for short and long-term health and development problems.
    • Binge-crash cycles in caregivers using methamphetamine leads to children becoming victims of nutritional, supervisory, educational and emotional neglect.
    • Children raised by methamphetamine abusing caregivers are at risk of being physically or sexually abused.
    • Children of methamphetamine abusers are at high risk of perpetuating the “cycle” of abuse.
    • Many children of methamphetamine users have developmental needs that require additional therapy and treatment.
  • Paralleling Oklahoma’s experience, Arkansas’ Schedule V legislation is resulting in dramatic decrease in the number of methamphetamine labs seized annually.
    • 50% reduction through 2005
  • Will this decrease in labs also decrease the number of children affected by methamphetamine? NO!
    • There is no shortage of supply!
    • Oklahoma reported a five-fold increase of Mexican National imported methamphetamine since the legislative change.
    • DEA officials indicate that 70-80% of the methamphetamine used in this country is not domestically produced.
    • Increasing quantities of “Ice” being seized in drug raids.
  • Treatment providers indicate that methamphetamine is the primary drug of choice of their clients.

The Response

  • The Arkansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children
    • Established in May of 2005.
  • The Alliance is a coalition of professionals assisting local communities to effectively and efficiently identify and protect children endangered by methamphetamine and other drugs.
  • Key Issues: The Priorities
    • Identification of those children who are affected by methamphetamine and other drugs
      - We do not know the number of methamphetamine endangered children in the State
    • Identification of those professionals who come in contact or need to have contact with a drug endangered child.
    • Identification of services and service gaps for those children affected by caregivers that use, produce or distribute methamphetamine or other illegal drugs.
  • The Alliance exists to serve the professional community that serves the drug endangered children population by providing the following services:
    • Serve as a resource to equip professionals with accurate knowledge.
    • Database development, tracking and analysis for program efficiency and effectiveness.
    • Provide networking opportunities
    • Promote research to benefit drug endangered children. For additional information about the Arkansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children please contact: Dr. Cheryl P. May at (501) 570-8000 or by e-mail cpmay@cji.edu or Sheila McDade at (501) 570-8097 or by e-mail srmcdade@cji.edu.