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Meth: Children at Risk
An increasing number of children in the United States are exposed to toxic chemicals because methamphetamine laboratories are being operated in or near their homes. In addition, these children often are abused or neglected by the parents, guardians, or others who operate these laboratories. The number of children found at seized methamphetamine laboratory sites in the United States more than doubled from 1999 through 2001.
Methamphetamine laboratory sites typically contain toxic chemicals and waste as well as finished product and drug paraphernalia. Children who inhabit homes where laboratories are present often inhale dangerous chemical fumes or gases or ingest toxic chemicals or illicit drugs. Exposure to these substances can cause serious short- and long-term health problems including damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, lungs, eyes, and skin. Children whose parents or guardians produce or abuse methamphetamine also are likely to develop emotional and behavioral problems stemming from abuse or neglect. In addition, inhaling or ingesting toxic substances such as those present at methamphetamine laboratories may cause cancer or death.
Few areas of the country have programs in place to coordinate the social and legal aspects of cases involving children at methamphetamine laboratories; however, implementation of an effective program is possible, as illustrated by the Drug Endangered Children (DEC) program in California.
Facts
Drug trafficking organizations dealing in crack cocaine have been identified in Orlando, Gainesville, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach, thus demonstrating the availability of crack throughout Florida. Each of these areas has organizations capable of conducting crack cocaine conversion operations. The Orlando area has the highest concentration of heroin users in Florida. Heroin is a dominant threat there and the majority of the heroin in central Florida is South American in origin. Florida is a principal thoroughfare for cocaine and heroin moving through the northeastern United States and Canada. Cocaine hydrochloride (HCl) is available throughout Florida from the gram to kilogram level. According to the 2006 Interim (January–June) Report of the Florida Medical Examiners, Jacksonville had the highest reported incidents of cocaine-related deaths (119 total), followed by West Palm Beach (90) and Orlando (84). Within the State of Florida are numerous supply stores that legally sell hydroponics agricultural equipment which is then used for marijuana cultivation. Indoor cultivation of marijuana has in northern Florida. In the past several years, eradication efforts and weather patterns moved growers indoors. |
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