Drug endangered children (DEC) are those children who suffer physical or psychological harm or neglect resulting from exposure to illegal drugs or persons under the influence of illegal drugs, or exposure to dangerous environments where drugs are being manufactured or chemicals used to make drugs are accessible. These harms may include: injury from explosion, fire or exposure to toxic chemicals found at clandestine lab sites; physical abuse; sexual abuse; medical neglect and; lack of basic care including failure to provide meals, sanitary and safe living conditions or schooling. Drug endangered children are part of a very large population of children whose lives have been seriously and negatively impacted by dangerous drugs.
Why Should You Care?
Iowa's drug endangered children are often found to be living in deplorable conditions, neglected beyond imagination, and suffering at the hands of parents who use drugs. While Iowa professionals are coming together as teams to provide immediate intervention and follow-up care for these children, they cannot be solely responsible for the healthy and well-being of our children. It is up to all of us, professionals and citizens alike, to care for and protect our children.
Today, most drug endangered children are discovered or "rescued" during law enforcement actions relating to their parents or caregivers. That event may be one of the most defining moments of their lives. If ignored and left unmonitored, these children continue to be victims caught in a cycle of drug abuse.
By knowing the signs and being willing to take action, you can help interrupt this cycle.
This web page is designed to help you learn more about drug endangered children and how to help them.
Exposure to drugs of abuse poses multiple dangers, including but not limited to:
- Injury or death from fire or explosions
- Risk of poisoning and intoxication
- Risk of acute health problems
- Risk of long-term health outcomes
- Developmental, emotional, mental health; or behavior problems
trends have emerged regarding the number of Iowa children affected by abuse and neglect. As data collected shows ever increasing numbers of children exposed to the dangers of illicit substances, children's advocacy groups have organized educational campaigns and advocated for a stronger community response to more effectively address the issue of child abuse in Iowa.
The Drug Endangered Children program, in Iowa and nationally, strives to change the course of what a child lives and learns as the result of living with drug-using parents. These children faces numerous psychosocial risks including:
- Increased violent behavior towards children
- Severe Neglect (caregivers not present, high or "crashed")
- Increased Sexual Abuse
- Emotional Abuse & Chaos
- Exposure to Unsafe Conditions (toxins in easy reach, exposure to ingredients/chemicals of the cook)
The DEC program aims to change the course and improve the lives of these children by removing from the drug environment and placing them in safe homes with caring adults that are healthy. The goal is to prevent these children fom learning criminal and addictive behaviors and from becoming the next generation of substance abusers and drug manufacturers.
"We must hear the voices of our children."
What makes children drug endangered?
Drug endangered children are kids of any age - babies to teenagers - who are placed in harms way because people in their lives who should be acting as caregivers are using, selling or making drugs.
Drug endangered children are not always easy to spot often because the warning signs may not be obvious. This web site is designed to help you identify drug endangered children and situations where drugs may be prevalent. It will also help you plan a course of action should you suspect a child is in immediate danger.
What are the signs of drug-related child endangerment?
Caregivers who use, sell or make drugs place children in danger. The danger can take many forms, such as:
Neglect/Abandonment
Children who live in homes with drugs are often neglected or abandoned by their caregivers. They may:
- Arrive at school with no coat
- Appear dirty or smell unclean
- Wear torn or dirty clothes
- Lack needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
- Appear extremely hungry or horde food
- Stay late at school or with friends because they don't want to go home
- Become the caregiver either to younger siblings or to parents who can't care for themselves
Exposure and Accidental Poisoning
Children who live in homes with drugs are often exposed to the toxic chemicals used to "cook" the drugs or to the drugs themselves. Physical signs of exposure include:
- Burning and watery eyes
- Blurred vision
- Skin irritation and redness
- Burns on the skin
- Sneezing and coughing
- Difficult breathing, shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Fever
- Yellow jaundice
- Hallucinations
- Extreme irritability
Physical Abuse
Because drug use often leads to violence, children in homes with drugs may be abused by their caregivers. Children who are being physically abused may:
Sexual Abuse
Drug endangered children may be sexually abused by people using drugs. Children who are being sexually abused may:
Mental/Emotional Abuse Be constantly afraid Withdraw from situations they used to enjoy Have low self-esteem Be extremely timid or passive or pushy and hostile Be unusually upset or anxious Be nervous around certain people Make excuses why he/she cannot make phone calls, leave the house or go home Be apathetic Wet or soil self Fail to learn Have difficulty making friends How do I know if there are drugs in a child's home? What should I do if I suspect a child is in a drug endangered situation?
People on drugs may become very verbally abusive and manipulative to those around them. Children who are being mentally and emotionally abused may:
There are many signs that people are using, selling or making dangerous drugs. You may have drug related activity in your neighborhood if:
You can help save a child's life by notifying police of your suspicions. Remember, you will not be in trouble if your suspicions are wrong, and, if you choose, your report can remain anonymous.
- Do not approach the home. Homes with drug labs are often booby-trapped and users can be heavily armed.
- Write down everything you see that appears suspicious including the times and dates of the events.
- Call the police and explain to them exactly what you have witnessed.
- If a child is in immediate danger, dial 911.
- To report suspected child (or dependent adult) abuse call 1-800-362-2178. The line is open 24/7.
- Dr. Kiti Freier-Randall, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at Loma Linda University and member of the National DEC Alliance Training team teaches that all children need adults in their lives who care about them. Refer to Dr. Freier-Randall's suggested Developmental Evaluation Guidelines
- For an excellent resource on how children experience parental substance abuse, their struggles and intervention strategies, read Children of Substance Abusers: The Basics, by Judy Rosenbluth, MPH, CHES, Marketing and Training Manager, Alcoholics Foundation in New York. Link to their website at www.coaf.org.
- Prevent Child Abuse Iowa (PCAI), an organization dedicated to ending child abuse in Iowa, provides important data analysis on a variety of child abuse issues. For information related to the rapid growth in child abuse cases, see reports on the PCAI website: http://www.pcaiowa.org/. Read the PCAI study on child neglect.
