NCJ Number
201359
Date Published
2003
Length
133 pages
Annotation
This guide was designed to assist local law enforcement in the development of an effective multi-agency response to the problem of clandestine drug laboratories and child endangerment.
Abstract
In 1996, the California Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP) began developing a response to the problem of child endangerment that occurs in home-based clandestine drug laboratories. Chapter 1 of the guide explains the problems inherent in homes where clandestine drug laboratories are run; beyond the child abuse and neglect issues, there are also dangers of explosives and chemicals in the home that can cause death or serious injury. Chapter 2 offers statistical information about the link between child endangerment and methamphetamine abuse and production. The emotional, mental, and physical health of children found in clandestine laboratories is discussed. Chapter 3 offers a brief overview of the public systems that respond to clandestine drug labs: law enforcement, criminal prosecution, probation and corrections, child protective services, public safety systems, and the medical system. Chapter 4 outlines aspects of the law enforcement investigation of clandestine labs, from the police and sheriff response to evidence collection and interviewing involved parties. Chapter 5 presents an overview of the public safety response and Chapter 6 reviews the responsibilities of the child protection system. Chapter 7 discusses issues surrounding the prosecution of child endangerment, such as the required elements of evidence involved in proving the existence of child endangerment. Chapter 8 discusses the role of a medical evaluation when a child is found to have been living in a clandestine laboratory and Chapter 9 outlines a multidisciplinary team approach to the problem of child endangerment and clandestine laboratories. Team selection and training, as well as the ongoing implementation of the team approach are discussed. Finally, Chapter 10 offers the policy implications of the way in which clandestine laboratories and child endangerment are linked and then raises questions for future study. Appendices contain California’s relevant legal codes, notes on hazard chemical classifications, confidentiality guidelines, sample documents, agency descriptions, and a list of the working group members.