DEC Community Teams
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Community DEC Planning Guide
Fundamentals for Improved DEC Practice
Kentucky Response
Factors that Effect the Success of DEC Teams
Child protection efforts continue

What is a drug endangered child? A child is considered drug endangered when he or she is exposed to clandestine production, use, or trafficking of illicit substances. Although children of alcoholics, drug traffickers, and other substance abusers have experienced abuse that accounts for over half of all substantiated child abuse cases in the U.S., the DEC movement was born out of the extreme violence associated with methamphetamine users in particular. This term refers to children aged 0-18. Click on image to see larger pdf file of the Methamphetamine Use Cycle. Children in drug homes may experience one or more of the following: Lack of nurturing and emotional response, particularly of concern 0-6 years Developmental delays Depression Attachment disorders Malnutrition and failure to thrive Exposure to adults who experience patterns of drug use, paranoia and hallucinations, followed by crashing Failure to protect, a concern 0-18 years “Loaning” children to other adults in exchange for drugs Emotional abuse Exposure to drugs, dangerous people Sexual abuse Physical abuse Exposure to dangerous home environments, disconnected fire alarms, dangerous wiring Forced participation in drug activity

"Drug Endangered Children" by Sue Webber-Brown "Angels in Black" by Ronald V. Mullins "On Call" by Kate Finnearty

Why make such a big deal about meth?

Meth affects more than just the user

• Highly toxic production process
• Breathing problems
• Burns and rashes
• Lack of treatment for injuries
• Cancer risk
• Increased risk of domestic and community violence

Additional Risks

• Production of meth yields 5-7 pounds of waste per pound of drug.
• Waste is often poured down drains, sinks, and flushed down toilets.
• The waste may include iodine and other caustic chemicals. *photo bathtub
• Although most meth users smoke the drug, many will begin to inject it over time.
• This increases risk of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, B, C, and Syphilis

The “Older” Drug Endangered Child

One of the difficulties of responding to the needs of the drug endangered child age 10-18 is dealing with behaviors they may exhibit, drug use experiences they may have had, and the distrust they have developed for adults and systems that have failed to protect them in the past.

Understanding the need to respond compassionately to an infant discovered living in a meth lab is easier in many ways than responding to a child who may already be a skilled meth cook in his own right. Children of addicts likely have an intimate awareness of the inner-workings of the drug world and although the risks are very real to them, it is what they know. The “rules” of a drug home are:

Click on image to see larger pdf file of the poster on the right geared toward the older child.

1. Don’t Talk.
2. Don’t Trust.
3. Don’t Feel.

All human beings need the freedom and safety to talk, trust, and feel without consequence or risk of harm. Children from drug homes do not experience such luxury. Substance-using parents’ value drugs over their own children, adults often fail to hear earlier, often silent, pleas for help, and the harm caused to children seeking validation and purpose can be painfully deep.

Children of addicts are at increased risk of developing addictions of their own. Mental health services that address the specific trauma associated with drug homes are not available in many rural communities where the meth epidemic has hit the hardest.

The good news is these children are not lost, they are simply in need of services from people within their own communities who see them as valuable and are willing to make the investment of time and advocacy.

Realistically speaking, this is not an easy feat to accomplish. Older drug endangered children have been lied to, abandoned, and abused; why should they believe anyone can make a difference? This question is the primary reason community-based DEC efforts are critical.

What is a DEC Response Team?

DEC Teams typically refer to professionals who encounter abused and neglected children as part of their regular jobs. Child Protection, Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Room, Mental Health and Prosecution are typically members of the DEC response team.

Partnerships for Success

In order to help children overcome the many barriers of living in a substance abuse environment, the development of a multidisciplinary team is crucial.

For Example:

• Child Protective Services
• Narcotics Investigators
• Community Mental Health Centers
• Law Enforcement
• Drug Court
• Emergency Departments
• District Attorneys
• Family Court Judges
• School Personnel
• Family Resource Centers
• Health Departments
• Children’s Advocacy Centers
• Community Coalitions
• Faith Community

DEC Communities in Kentucky

For more information or to start a local DEC program, please contact Holly Hopper at hehopp2@uky.edu or Doug Burnham at burnham@uky.edu.

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