Local agencies form collaborative effort to assist children endangered by drugs

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Special to the Daily News Several county offices, along with Skiff Medical Center, have established a Drug Endangered Children Program in Jasper County. The mission of the Jasper County DEC Program is “to provide protection and service to drug endangered children in Jasper County and to discourage the production, possession and usage of controlled substances in the presence of children,” according to a news release issued by the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office. The agencies involved — which include the Jasper County Attorney’s Office, Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Drug Task Force, Iowa Department of Human Resources, Skiff and the Regional Child Protection Center at Blank Children’s Hospital — work together to facilitate a coordinated response to promote the health and safety of children found in clandestine controlled substance laboratories or places where controlled substances are kept or sold. Potential harm to children living in meth homes include risk of exposure to infections such as hepatitis, HIV and tuberculosis; risk of inadequate immunizations leading to outbreaks of infectious diseases such as measles and pertussis; risk of developmental delays due to toxic smoke exposure, risk of pulmonary problems such as apnea, asthma and chronic lung deficiency; risk of liver failure form toxins in ether or ammonia and risk of lead exposure and poisoning. Other risks include lack of parental support, social isolation, emotional deprivation, serious neglect, exposure to noxious agents, exposure to environmental hazards, inability of caretakers to meet the on-going needs of the child and failure to protect children from accidental injury with potential for serious injury or death. The primary goal of the DEC Program is to establish a multi-disciplinary methodology for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of children who have been exposed to the chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine or other controlled substances in a clandestine laboratory setting, and to prosecute all individuals responsible for endangering children. If any of the children become dependents of the Juvenile Court through Child In Need of Assistance proceedings, DHS will recommend an appropriate treatment plan and suitable living environment compatible with the needs of the children. Prior to the creation of the Jasper County DEC Program, there had been no formalized collaborative efforts to address the needs and problems of drug endangered children in Jasper County.