Reporting Drug Endangered Children

Most Indian Country doctors, teachers, police officers, social workers and mental health professionals understand that they are mandated reporters for child abuse, but not as many understand how to recognize the signs of a child who is living in a drug endangered environment. Fewer still know how to collect evidence to support removing the child—or children— from their home. The National Alliance For Drug Endangered Children and Indian Country Training are reaching out with free training for  Indian Country professionals, so we can work together to make sure kids don't suffer for their parents' drug or alcohol abuse.

People who see a child frequently, like teachers and school resource officers, may notice a child who is malnourished, or consistently unkempt or smelly, particularly if the child often smells like chemicals. Children from homes where their caregivers are abusing drugs or alcohol often mimic their elders' behavior by cursing, inappropriate touching, promiscuity, drug experimentation, and disturbing play. Sometimes the parents appear impaired, over-explaining circumstances, failing to get their kids to school or showing up to events, or sending various non-relatives to pick up the children from school.

Poverty or parental illness may explain some of these things, so every effort should be made to determine if this is the case.  But if a pattern emerges, and the child's mental, physical or emotional health seems impacted, then the case should be reported by calling the Indian Country Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-663-5155. You may remain anonymous, but you'll have to report the child's name, age and tribal affiliation; whether the child is in danger; a location and telephone number where the child can be found; and the parent(s)'s names, tribal affiliation and contact information. You will be asked to describe the indicators that led you to believe the child is a victim of abuse or neglect.

For more specific information about DEC reporting, as well as the protocols for collecting evidence and collaborating with law enforcement and child protective agencies, join us for our free upcoming webinars or for one of our regional training sessions (coming up in Phoenix and Spokane).
Establishing a Strength-Based Tribal Collaboration for Drug Endangered Children
July 10, 2013 at 10am MST
Presenter: Nadja Jones
Click to Register

Identifying Drug Endangered Children: A Collaborative Approach
November 6, 2013 at 10am MST
Presenter: Lori Moriarty, National DEC
Click to Register

Children at Risk with Legal Marijuana

Marijuana legalization is fast becoming a reality for residents of some states, although it remains illegal under the federal laws that govern much of  Indian Country. Many states permit medicinal use of marijuana, while voters in Colorado and Washington have legalized recreational use by adults.

The National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children asked leading experts in Washington and Colorado to comment on the effect that they expect legal marijuana to have. Esther Larsen from the Washington Alliance for DEC, responded,

"Perception of associated risks has decreased, most notably among youth and adolescents according to Washington State's Healthy Youth Survey. The majority of all youth drug treatment admissions are for marijuana, both legal and illegal, with an increase of 20% from 2007 to 2012, according to Washington's Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. Washington State's Toxicology Laboratory lists marijuana consistently as the most common drug detected among impaired drivers with drugs present in their blood."

Jade Woodard, Executive Director of Colorado Drug Endangered Children, added,

"There are many ways in which children will be impacted by marijuana legalization. Due to the legalization, it is estimated that marijuana use will increase, therefore increasing the risk of children experiencing abuse or neglect as a result of impaired caregivers. Significant concerns have been raised about the risk to children of ingesting infused marijuana products. A recent article in JAMA Pediatrics outlines the increase that has been seen in unintentional ingestion of marijuana or marijuana products by children. These children have displayed symptoms such as non-arousability and respiratory distress with some children actually being admitted into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Additionally, research by National Jewish Hospital and Colorado Drug Investigators Association identified significant health hazards of indoor marijuana cultivation, especially for children. Finally, an ongoing concern of marijuana legalization centers around the increase in teen marijuana use and concerns regarding the diversion of marijuana to those under age 21. There are reports of increased rates of school suspensions, expulsions, and dropouts related to teen marijuana use. It is critical that training, education, and monitoring of the impacts of marijuana legalization on children and families be prioritized for Colorado."

We hope the political leaders of these states will heed Ms. Woodard's words.

Prescription Drugs to Heroin Webinar

Register now!

Pharmaceutical drug abuse in Indian Country is a significant factor influencing the high violent crime rate, devastating Native American families, endangering children, and straining resources of tribal law enforcement and service programs. Additionally, the use of prescribed pain medication (opioids) for nonmedical purposes can and does lead to the use of heroin.

This webinar will focus on community based partnerships to assist our tribal communities assess areas of strength and opportunity to create optimal collaboration in protecting our greatest resource - our children. Tools and resource links will be provided that can be used across programs to support mutual values.

Heroin and Crime: How Can We Stop It?

Over the past couple of years, we've been charting the rise of heroin use on our tribal lands. Reservations near big cities have been the first to be affected, but even rural areas are suffering from this blight. Tribal police have seen an associated uptick in crime, too. As the White Earth Public Safety Director and Chief of Police, Randy Goodwin, said, "And along with the drug issue, guess what comes with it. Some of the gangs." One California tribe has seen gangland style killings over heroin deals. A big bust by St. Regis tribal officers resulted in three people being charged with multiple gun and drug felonies. The heroin problem for Minnesota tribes has been especially serious, as demonstrated by recent cases in Spirit Lake and Mille Lacs.

To learn more about why heroin is on the rise, what prescription drugs have to do with the problem, and the next steps for addressing the painkiller to heroin link, join us for a tuition-free webinar, Prescription Drugs to Heroin, Part II on June 26, at 10 am. The last session was full, so be sure to reserve your space now! This webinar will focus on developing community-based partnerships.  By assessing areas of strength and opportunity, members of our tribal communities can work together to protect our greatest resource- our children. Tools and resource links will be provided that can be used across programs to support mutual values.

Strength Based Collaboration in Action

A strength based approach—building on what's right instead of tearing down what's wrong—has proven to be a successful model for turning around negative behavior in children and their families, especially in Indian Country. Programs like the Navajo Nation's Project K'e, the Passamaquoddy tribes' Kmihqitahasultipon (We Remember) Project and the Chippewa's Mno Bmaadzid Endaad (Be in good health at his house) all encourage participants to draw from their strengths as Natives, especially their cultural resilience in the face of oppression.

For example, the Sacred Child Project, which serves four northern Plains tribes, draws from their shared tribal philosophy of "Walking in Beauty on the Red Road." Participants in this intensive outpatient treatment program, which includes children and their families, focus on cultural issues as much as on substance abuse issues, and help participants identify their strengths as individuals and as part of a proud Native culture. Each participant is encouraged to view their entire community as part of a holistic world view and to draw on community strengths as part of the healing process. Commonly identified community strengths include tribal rituals and celebrations, the support of one's extended family, opportunities to help others, natural beauty, and educational opportunities.

This successful approach to engaging families in the recovery process can also be effective as a tool to identify and report drug endangered children. Learn more with Nadja Jones of NICWA, in our free webinar, coming up July 10, 2013. Register now to save your place!

Finding Our Own Paths To Well-Being

For years, behavioral health and social workers have used a strength-based approach in helping children and families heal from substance abuse, violence, delinquency and similar issues. With Native families, the approach looks a little different. In the Native world view, it's critical to find balance among the different elements of your life. When our lives go off the rails, we can heal ourselves by discovering what elements are out of balance and finding ways to restore that harmony. When the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) asked Native families where their strengths lay, the respondents gave the answers above.

While this approach is perfect for families, it also works for organizations. Join us for a free webinar on a strength-based approach to collaboration in protecting drug endangered children- July 10 at 10 am. Register online here. NICWA instructor Nadja Jones will explore how organizations can work together to improve identification, reporting and intervention for drug endangered children. Feel free to download and share the infographic as a jpg or as a PDF.

Who is Responsible for Prescription Drug Diversion?

How Do People Get Prescription Painkillers? | Create infographics