DRUG USE TAKES TOLL ON CHILDREN

Those who argue for the legalization of drugs often call it a
victimless crime. The rise in the number of area children of
drug-addicted parents being placed for adoption shows that claim is a lie.

In too many cases, youngsters are paying the price for their
parents' addictions by living in challenging environments.

A recent case involving a 1-year-old boy highlighted in last
Sunday's Mirror tells the sad tale.

Blair County Judge Jolene Kopriva terminated the parental rights of
the boy's 28-year-old father and 24-year-old mother. The toddler and
his brother, who have the same mother but a different father, were
found living in an abandoned house with the 1-year-old's parents,
who were wanted for attempted robbery and theft.

The boy's father told the judge that when he gets out of jail, he
wanted to get a house and a job and to take care of his son. It's a
nice sentiment, but as the judge wisely noted, the boy needs more
stability and to be in a "trusting environment" now.

The father, who is a heroin addict, has been in six jails in 10
months. That does not provide a lot of optimism that the father will
be able to provide the type of home environment his child needs.

Sadly, this case isn't unique. Last year, 40 children in Blair
County, 51 in Cambria County and 35 in Clearfield County were placed
for adoption, Department of Public Welfare statistics show.

An attorney for Blair County Children and Youth Services says drug
abuse is one of the biggest reasons for seeking to terminate
parental rights and place children for adoption.

Drug abuse also was cited as a contributing factor in 14 percent of
substantiated child abuse cases for which a cause was listed.

Pennsylvania recorded 4,162 substantiated reports of child abuse in
2007, according to the Department of Public Welfare. Factors
contributing to the abuse were reported in 3,199 of the cases.

Clearly too many children are suffering because of the substance
abuse of their parents

Being adopted into a loving, stable home may be in the child's best
interests. But it still requires the child to adjust, possibly to a
new home setting - and that's after the child has been in the foster
care system for a period of time. The child hasn't done anything
wrong, but it's his life that is upended.

We hope for the best for the children who wind up being put up for
adoption and/or must live with other relatives because of substance
abuse by their parents. They deserve better.