Methamphetamine Abuse and Manufacture: The Child Welfare Response

Abstract

Methamphetamine abuse is on the rise, particularly by women of childbearing age. This article describes the history and effects of methamphetamine use. The authors examine the ways exposure to the manufacture of this drug affects clients and social workers in the course of their work. Because children are frequently found at the scene of a manufacturing laboratory, the child welfare system often becomes involved, and child protective services and other social work agencies need protocols to address the needs of the children and their parents, as well as those of the legal system. In 1997 California created and implemented drug-endangered children's units in seven counties to address the needs of children from families that manufacture methamphetamine; these units involve collaborative efforts among child protective workers, district attorneys, physicians, and police officers. A case example provides information about the role of social workers and their collaboration with these multiple systems.

Exposures associated with clandestine methamphetamine drug laboratories in Australia

“…In addition children in environments where methamphetamine, and other drugs or abuse, are used or manufactured can also be exposed to a wider range of other chemicals, neglect, criminal behaviour, abuse (emotional, physical and sexual) that place these children at risk of developmental, behavioural and other mental health problems (114,115,(117)(118)(119)(120).…”

“…Numerous papers (4,30,71,77,114,116,117,(132)(133)(134)(135)(136) highlight issues associated with child welfare, drug use and methamphetamine manufacturing. Children from homes where there is drug abuse and manufacturing frequently live in squalor, neglect and abuse (69,71,73,135,136) where lack of stimulation, poor nutrition, unsanitary conditions and medical problems associated pre-and post-natal exposure to drugs and chemicals (12,69).…”

Children exposed to methamphetamine use and manufacture

“…Methamphetamine can be smoked, inhaled, or injected, and the effects are long lasting (10-12 hours). Moreover, methamphetamine is particularly favored by women of childbearing age (Hohman, Oliver, & Wright, 2004), as it is viewed as a readily available, inexpensive appetite suppressant and energy enhancer (Joe, 1995).…”

“…Over 2,800 children were affected by methamphetamine lab incidents across the nation in 2004 (EPIC National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, 2004). The state reporting the highest number of children removed from home-based methamphetamine labs over the past 4 years was California (356 children in 2004), and those children were typically under 5 years old (EPIC National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, 2003;2004). However, because statewide data collection and reporting protocols are not yet in place, the exact number of children exposed to these hazardous environments is unclear and experts believe that the problem is seriously underestimated.…”

“…However, some studies have assessed the effects of methamphetamine-exposed infants compared with non-methamphetamine exposed infants in utero. Findings indicate that prenatal exposure to methamphetamine is associated with an increase in premature delivery, complications during pregnancy, altered neonatal behavioral patterns (e.g., abnormal reflexes and extreme irritability), low birth weight, and smaller head circumference (Eriksson, Larsson, & Zetterstrom, 1981;Hohman et al, 2004;Lester et al, 2006;Oro & Dixon, 1987;Smith et al, 2003). Oro and Dixon (1987) further reported that neonates exposed to methamphetamine demonstrated neurologic and physiologic abnormalities such as disruptive sleep patterns, state disorganization, poor feeding, and tremors.…”