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.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin