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Untitled Document
Meth-Endangered Child
Along with the dramatic rise in methamphetamine labs has come an increase in the number of children found at lab sites. The dangers to children being exposed to this environment are severe. It is difficult to identify children who may be endangered by meth because there may be so many different signs and symptoms. However, there are some “telltale signs” to look for.
Children who are exposed to the chemicals used to manufacture meth may experience irritation of the eye, skin, or mucus membranes. They may have respiratory difficulties ranging from wheezing to respiratory distress. The child may have evidence of chemical burns on their skin. Children living in meth homes may also have an unusual odor and may appear unclean.
Children being abused and neglected in meth homes may show any combination of the following signs:
Wary of adult contact
Use of behavioral extremes; aggressiveness or withdrawal
Frightened of parents
Reluctant to go home
Reports injury or neglect by parents
Consistent hunger
Begging or stealing food
Poor hygiene
Inappropriate dress
Unattended physical problems or medical needs
Extended stays at school; early arrival and late departure
Constant fatigue, listlessness, or falling asleep in class
Difficulty walking or sitting
Poor peer relationships
Excessive fatigue
Lags in physical development
Habit disorders: sucking, biting, rocking
Overly adaptive behavior: inappropriately adult or inappropriately infant
Sudden changes in behavior or school performance
If you have contact with a child that you believe has been exposed to a meth lab or that you believe has been abused or neglected by other means, you should inform local law enforcement, child protection, or health care authorities.
Facts
OxyContin® remains a highly abused substance in Illinois. Methamphetamine is the principal drug of concern in the rural areas of central and southern Illinois. There is increasing evidence that methamphetamine is being distributed in the Chicago area of Illinois, which is probably the result of rising availability of the drug as more Mexico-produced methamphetamine meant for markets in other areas transits to Chicago. The DEA CFD in Illinois is aggressively targeting dangerous drug traffickers internationally and domestically. There were 342 meth lab incidents in Illinois in 2007. These incidents have been on a decline in Illinois since 2004, in which there were 1,098 such incidents. Mexican-based DTOs are trafficking methamphetamine into Illinois mostly from California and Mexico. |
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