RESCUE CHILDREN FROM METH LABS

Social services and law enforcement officials from throughout West Virginia
will gather for a conference this week on how to help children who live in
homes where methamphetamines are being produced.

We don't mean to sound flippant, but here's a thought: Throw their parents
or guardians in jail and get them out of those homes.

In fairness to those involved in the conference, it needs to be pointed out
that part of the reason for it is to discuss how to help children who have
been removed from such homes. They face both physical and emotional
challenges. As one State Police officer who is involved in drug
investigations noted, "A majority of addicts use a majority of their money
on addiction. The kids can wind up with malnutrition and can be
underdressed." They also can be subjected to dangers of physical abuse not
present in homes where drugs are not a preoccupation.

Children pulled out of homes where their parents are "cooking" meth need
all the help they can be given -- so we applaud those involved in the
conference.

But the first step in helping them needs to be getting them out of meth lab
homes. Law enforcement agencies should make that a priority -- even above
apprehending high-level drug dealers. If some of them have to be allowed to
escape prosecution in order to arrest lesser offenders -- and rescue their
children -- so be it.