Pubdate: Tue, 09 Aug 2005 Source: Billings Gazette, The (MT) Copyright: 2005 The Billings Gazette Contact: http://www.billingsgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/515 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts) STATE CAN'T AFFORD TO IGNORE PARENTS' METH ADDICTION Parental Drug Addiction Devastates Children An estimated 6 million U.S. children live with at least one parent who abused alcohol or other drugs in 2001, the Annie Casey Foundation noted in its annual Kids Count Data Book. A study of children in a welfare program showed that children, especially adolescents, with drug-abusing parents had more behavioral, emotional and physical problems than their peers in drug-free families. Likewise, children whose parents abused drugs were more likely themselves to engage in risky behaviors. Drug Use Big Factor At any given time, about 400 Yellowstone County children are in foster care. In 80 percent of those cases, parental drug abuse was a factor in child abuse or neglect, according to Kevin Frank, regional administrator of the state Child and Family Services Division in Billings. Those numbers only reflect state child protection involvement. Frank said he believes many other children of addicted parents are in the care of grandparents, other relatives or family friends who stepped up to help. Methamphetamine is the No. 1 factor in local child neglect cases, Frank said. "Meth deserves the hype it gets," Frank said, noting that children of addicts and meth "cooks" are exposed to toxic chemicals. "The all- consuming nature of it and the health side effects are incredibly damaging," he said. Yellowstone County child welfare and court officials are trying to combat the problems of parental drug addiction through Family Drug Court. This project was the first of its kind in Montana and reports success in keeping parents in recovery. Family drug courts are starting up in Lewistown, Missoula and Miles City. Addressing The Problem Drug court addresses the root cause of the family's problem: parental addiction. It works, Frank said, because the judge (Susan Watters in Billings), attorneys, therapists and other professionals get personally and regularly involved with the addict. The addicted parent gets help but is also held accountable. Montana has taken some steps to curb meth, but much work remains. Interventions are especially critical for children whose parents are addicted. Michel's House, operated by the Rimrock Foundation, has reported remarkable success with extended treatment for drug-addicted moms. But it's just one house, and there are many, many addicts in need of effective, long-term treatment. Drug courts generally are running on limited federal grants. Montana can put more money into these treatment alternatives or spend even greater sums on incarceration and foster care for this generation and the next. Parental drug addiction is a menace Montana can't afford to ignore. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin