Drug Endangered Children
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Drug Endangered Children
What
is a Drug Endangered Child?
A Drug Endangered Child (DEC) is a child who is vulnerable
to the consequences of illegal drug use, manufacturing, cultivation and/or
distribution. Children whose caretakers fail to safeguard them from these
conditions are at risk for physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse,
and neglect including the lack of a nurturing environment, failure to
receive meals, living in unsanitary and unsafe environments, poor school
attendance and poor or non-existent medical care. Children who live
in homes where substances are abused are three times more likely than
other children to be physically abused and four times more likely to be
neglected.
Drug Endangered Children also includes babies who are exposed to illicit
substances during gestation and are born with these substances in their
systems. Children living in a home where drugs are manufactured and/or
used are also at risk for inhaling or ingesting these substances.
Do
we have Drug Endangered Children in Shawnee County?
• Approximately 3,852 Shawnee County children live
in an environment where substances are abused
• Approximately 288 babies are born substance-exposed every year
in Shawnee County
(Estimates based on data from Office of Applied Studies,
2008 Census estimates, 2007 Kansas Live Birth data and Dr. Ira Chasnoff,
Children’s Research Triangle)
The
Shawnee County Alliance for DEC was formed in response to DEC issues.
Our Vision: Every child in Shawnee County
will be born free of substances and live in an environment that is free
of substance abuse.
The
Alliance is made up of representatives from agencies and programs in Shawnee
County that are working to establish and carry out a plan reducing the
number of DEC in Shawnee County. The Alliance has established protocols
and educational materials as part of their mission.
Helpful Links
Shawnee
County Protocols
Shawnee
County Substance Exposed Newborn Protocol
Shawnee
County Drug Endangered Children Protocol (meth lab specific)
Shawnee
County Drug Endangered Children Protocol (for children in all drug environments)
Substance Exposed Newborn Resources
The Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children-Shawnee County has developed a series of tip cards addressing the effects of substances on a pregnant woman and her unborn child. These resources are designed for use by professionals in the medical setting and are available in both English and Spanish. Tip cards are available on the following topics: Alcohol, Cocaine, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Prescription Drugs and Tobacco.
A tip card regarding commonly held misconceptions about substance use during pregnancy is also available. This resource is intended for distribution to community members.
Please click here to order any of the above resource materials. You may also request an electronic file of the tip cards which can then be modified to include local contact information.
For more information about the Shawnee County Alliance
for DEC, contact:
Lori
McReynolds, Drug Endangered Children Coordinator
United Way Successful Connections
1315 Arrowhead Dr.
Topeka, KS 66604
Phone: (785) 272-0878
