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 Innocent children are sometimes found in homes and other
environments (hotels, automobiles, apartments, etc.)
where methamphetamine and
other illegal substances are produced.
Around the country, Drug Endangered
Children (DEC) programs have been developed to coordinate the
efforts of law
enforcement, medical services, and child welfare workers to ensure that children
found in these environments receive appropriate attention and care.
 What Is the Drug Endangered Children Program (DEC)?
The DEC Program is a multi-agency approach to assist and protect
children whose lives, health, and safety are jeopardized by meth labs, meth
dealing or meth addiction in the family home. The purpose of the Drug Endangered
Children Program is to intervene on behalf of children who have been exposed to
meth toxic chemicals as a result of residing in a home that was used to make,
sell, or use meth. The DEC Program is designed to provide a comprehensive
response by coordinating the effort of law enforcement, child protective
services, prosecutors, and health professionals.
Dangers to Children
Children who live at or visit drug production sites
or are present during drug production face a variety of health and safety risks,
including:
- Inhalation, absorption, or ingestion of toxic
chemicals, drugs or contaminated foods that may result in nausea,
chest pain, eye and tissue irritation, chemical burns and death
- Fires & explosions
- Abuse & neglect
- Hazardous lifestyle (presence of bobby traps,
firearms, code violations, poor ventilation)
Drug Endangered Children Program key services:
- Removal of children from toxic and drug
endangered environments
- Medical and dental health evaluation and
services
- Drug and toxic chemical exposure screening
- Mental health evaluation and services
For more information about our Drug Endangered Children
program contact Larry George at (785) 587-4372 or
larry.george@pawnee.org.
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