Q. How is a DEC response different from the usual child abuse case?

A. The DEC (drug endangered child) case may be similar to many child abuse cases that involve adult substance abuse although it is the philosophy and investigation practice that makes the difference. A typical child abuse case, for example is concerned only with civil issues associated with the neglect and abuse of a child. However, failure to adequately investigate the root case of the family dysfunction-in this case addiction, drug trafficking, and perhaps manufacturing drugs fails to ensure safety for children. From a narcotics investigation perspective, failure to formally identify children living in the environment is failure to identify a crime victim. Co-investigation of the criminal and civil aspects of a case improves the strength of a case and can open doors for individuals to receive needed services, such as Drug Court, that have been proven to work.

Q. Is investment in DEC a waste of time and effort?

A. If properly investigated, supported, and child-focused, the evidence of positive outcomes will take little time to arrive. The key is to know what you are doing, why you are doing it, and to maintain a child-safety perspective through this. A charge of child endangerment is not just a criminal charge but is a pivotal part of a child's safety, well-being, and belief that he has value. So, in short, a genuine effort to protect a child and to equip communities to respond to the needs of children of addicts is never wasted.

Q. Are there specific roles victim advocates can play in the prosecution of DEC cases?

A. The victim advocate has an important role to play in the way the case maintains the interest of the child. Drug crimes are not victimless crimes. Recognition and enforcement of this child as a crime victim can achieve the following: 1) identification of a child 2) a point of entry to allow tracking of the child and provision of necessary services 3) acknowledgement within the field that the drug endangered child is often a victim of continuing abuse because of the level at which the drug culture affects ability to protect the child from harm.

Q. What are best practices in working with drug endangered children?

A. Although the field of "DEC" is relatively new and evidence based practices under development, there are a number of "better practices" that can improve services and care of children. These include:

1. Receipt of multi-disciplinary training about the needs of children living in drug using, manufacturing, and trafficking homes.
2. Inclusion of the medical community collection of urine, tested at detectable levels, for children found in a home where drug use is a factor.
3. Recognition that drug addiction is an intergenerational problem that is transmitted through learned behavior, maladaptive coping skills, and poor parenting practice. Multi-discipline review of cases and targeted case planning, social support, and making child well-being a central tenant of your DEC effort can disrupt this cycle and improve individual trajectories of the drug endangered child.
4. Considering the multiple points of entry for the drug endangered child. These may include schools, health departments, and emergency departments. Creating an understanding of HIPPAA restrictions and mandatory child abuse reporting laws are critical. For more information, please view the online courses and access downloads intended for the DEC professional. These are available at www.drugendangeredchild.org.

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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