NCJ Number
204199
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 73 Issue: 3 Dated: February 2004 Pages: 8-11
Date Published
February 2004
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the dangers posed to children who live in methamphetamine laboratories and discusses Oklahoma’s collaborative response to the growing problem.
Abstract
Children are found in approximately one-third of all seized methamphetamine laboratories. The abhorrent conditions the children are exposed to often results in toxic chemical poisoning, chemical burns, damage to their respiratory and circulatory systems, chemical absorption or ingestion, and perils such as death from fires and explosions. Moreover, children found living in methamphetamine labs are often neglected and physically, emotionally, and sexually abused by their caretakers or any of the people who pass through the residence to buy or sell drugs. The grave consequences involved with children living in methamphetamine labs calls for a team approach to their care. Oklahoma’s State drug-endangered children (DEC) effort is a collaborative approach that includes the efforts of representatives from social, medical, law enforcement, and criminal justice agencies. The primary goal of the DEC is to intervene on behalf of children found living in methamphetamine labs in order to provide a multidisciplinary community response to the identification and service of their short- and long-term needs. Oklahoma has mandated that every county establish a multidisciplinary child abuse and neglect team (CAN). These CAN teams work with the DEC program and are generally comprised of law enforcement officers, child protective workers, mental health workers, medical personnel, prosecutors, and other professionals who seek to address the needs of children found in lab environments. The system works through a collaborative process: first responders recognize that intervention for children is needed and then law enforcement takes them into custody and moves them to a safe location to attend to their needs. Child protective services arrive to assist officers to assess the children’s needs. Medical and other emergency technicians stand by in case a need for their services arises. A standing court order from the jurisdictional judge when children are found in methamphetamine labs expedites the assumption of temporary custody for the child protective worker. This team approach is a valuable tool to addressing the myriad of needs created when children are found in methamphetamine labs.