Contents
Message From the Director
Introduction
Children who live at or visit clandestine methamphetamine
laboratories face acute health and safety
risks.
Meth Production Site: Not Really a Laboratory
Although manufacturing methods may vary, all meth labs
produce volatile chemicals and toxic vapors
that present significant health and safety hazards.
Methamphetamine Trends in the United States
The number of children present or residing in seized
meth labs, exposed to toxic chemicals, and taken
into protective custody rose significantly from 2000
to 2002.
(Note: Text on this page has been updated.)
Dangers to Children Living at Meth Labs
Children living at clandestine meth labs are exposed
to chemical contamination; risks related to fires and
explosions, abuse and neglect, and hazardous living
conditions; and other dangers.
Multidisciplinary Teams: Elements of Success
A coordinated multidisciplinary response should include
medical and mental health services, child
protective services, law enforcement, public safety,
and prosecution personnel.
Promising Practices in the Field
Coordinated multidisciplinary programs in California,
Idaho, and Washington demonstrate promising
practices that can be adapted by other jurisdictions.
Conclusion
A coordinated multidisciplinary team is critical to
ensure that the needs of meth’s youngest victims
are
met and that adequate information is available to prosecute
child endangerment cases successfully.
Notes
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
For
More Information
| OVC
Resource Center: |
301-519-5500
Toll-Free: 1-800-627-6872
TTY: 301-947-8374 |
OVC
Training and Technical Assistance Center: |
1-866-OVC-TTAC
(1-866-682-8822)
TTY: 1-866-682-8880
|
Additional Information
State contact information on establishing
a multidisciplinary meth lab response team and related
Web sites.
Preparation of this document was supported
by the Office for Victims of Crime,
Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department
of Justice.The opinions, findings, conclusions,
and recommendations expressed
in this document are those of the author
and do not necessarily represent the official
position or policies of the U.S. Department
of Justice.
