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 AddictionsUniversal City, CA

November 11, 2005

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Most frequently: Infants/Children who suffer abuse

andneglect because of their

caretaker’s substance abuse and/or

manufacture

Who Are Drug Endangered Children?

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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 Children

in MA Environment?

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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

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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

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High Incidence of Domestic Violence in MA-Abusing Homes

Threatening notes

Dangerous & stressful environment for children

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Clandestine MA Labs On Increase in California & Nationally

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Labs Seized in CA

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33 13

54

95 8

356 9

67 52

63 74

189

88 16

189

273

110 163

46

60118

50

76

24343

22

AK 15HI 1

MA 2MD 0RI 0

Source: National Clandestine Laboratory Database Total: 2,869

Dates: 01/01/04 to 12/01/04

Total of All Children Affected at MA Lab IncidentsCalendar Year 2004

17

12

110 22

9

7

6

59

8

9

14

19

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MA Manufacturing: Severe Chemical Hazards

Manufacturing adds criminal charges, complicating child custody, placement, & family rehabilitation

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MA Lab Dangers

Accidental ingestion of chemicals

Contaminated food

Explosion

Fire

Inhalation and exposure to toxic fumes & chemicals

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Effects of Exposure???

Long-term effects are unknown

Current information is from

OSHA-based studies

Adult outcomes

Acute exposures

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Preliminary Findings(Low-level Exposure)

Respiratory problems

Dental problems

Liver problems

Dermatologic problems

Developmental “Cautions” or “Delays”

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A four year old child draws pictures of the meth lab in

his parents’ home.

October 23, 2002

Through the eyesof a child…

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National HeadlinesNational Headlines

Toddler Overdoses on MethChild Ingests ChemicalsOregon Toddler Overdosed on Meth2-year-old Tortured/Killed While Parents High on MethBaby Overdoses, Mother ArrestedArizonan beheads 14-year-old Son While High on MethMeth Lab Blows Leaves Badly Burned Child8-week-old Dead in Motel Meth Lab3 Kids Die in Mobile Home Blast

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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

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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

DEC RESPONSE TEAM

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California DEC Pilot Study(1997)

7 CA Counties with DEC Response TeamsServed over 4,000 children taken from MA labs

38% of the children removed tested positive for MA & exhibited high incidence of medical problems

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National Accomplishments

2004: 4,200 people trained in 25 states.National DEC Alliance & Training CoordinatorNational Medical ProtocolScience ResearchNational Logo1st National DEC Conference (6/04-CO)2nd National DEC Conference (8/05-DC)

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National DEC Alliance

Ronald V. Mullins, National DEC Training Coordinator (619) 557-7736

Ronald.Mullins2@usdoj.gov OR WWW.NATIONALDEC.ORGSan Diego, California

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PUBLIC AWARENESS

Photo: Courtesy of R. Mullins, National DEC Coordinator, San Diego, CA

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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

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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

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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