CHILDREN ARE THE SADDEST VICTIMS

One of the saddest aspects of the illicit drug epidemic is the
children who are left practically abandoned when their parents fall
into the downward spiral of drug abuse.

Wilson County commissioners passed a resolution Monday establishing a
protocol for handling children who found in homes that have been
turned into methamphetamine labs.

These children are particularly forlorn cases because they are not
only victims of neglect or abuse; they are also placed in daily mortal
danger as chemicals are "cooked" into methamphetamines, leaving toxic
byproducts that can ignite or poison anyone who comes in contact with
them. Each pound of processed meth generates 6 pounds of toxic waste.

Meth labs, which are becoming more and more common throughout the
state, are chemical hazards that law enforcement personnel must deal
with using special hazardous materials equipment and workers. Entire
neighborhoods can be jeopardized by one meth lab, but illicit drug
dealers have been resourceful in setting up their labs in temporary
locations, including hotel rooms.

The makers and users of meth show no concern for the neighborhood or
for their own children.

Children who are found when a meth lab is raided usually become wards
of the county. An estimated 25 to 30 percent of meth raids involve
children living in the house where the dangerous meth is being cooked.

These children must be removed immediately for their own safety, and
society can only hope that these innocents' health has not already
been compromised by their irresponsible and neglectful parents.

The protocol county commissioners passed Monday addresses the meth lab
orphans issue, setting a procedure for dealing with children in this
situation. The county has little choice but to remove the children for
their own protection.

If the meth plague continues to spread, however, county departments of
social services could be overwhelmed. Already, there are not enough
foster parents and guardians ad-litem to accommodate all of the
children under county protection.

It is always discomforting to take children away from their parents,
but when parents put drug profits or addiction ahead of their
children's welfare, the county has no choice but to rescue the
children. The criminal justice system will address the parents' crime,
but their punishment should be tempered with rehabilitation so that
they might be able to escape the clutches of meth and resume the roles
their children require of them.