METH WATCH - CHILD-CARE PROFESSIONALS RECEIVE METH TRAINING

Rowan Partnership for Children Child Care Connections Resource and
Referral Services recently hosted a Rowan Meth Watch training for
child-care professionals.

Salisbury Police Chief Mark Wilhelm and U.S. Attorney Anna Mills
Wagoner informed the group about the dangers of methamphetamine usage
and production.

Child-care professionals were targeted for this training because
methamphetamine production is often carried out in the family home.
Children living in a home where methamphetamine is produced are in
serious danger. The volatile chemicals used to produce the drug can
easily ignite or explode.

Chemical residue in the home can cause skin and eye irritation, burns,
chronic cough and asthma, and damage to vital organs.

Wilhelm explained that methamphetamine is an illegal, highly addictive
drug that is easily produced using products readily available on most
store shelves. The group learned that makeshift laboratories producing
meth can be set up in homes, cars, motel rooms and even carried in
bags from location to location. Dangerous chemical residue remains
long after the meth producers have moved on.

Wagoner talked with the group about warning signs to watch for in
children who live around meth production. Some "red-flags are a strong
smell similar to cat urine on the child's clothes or belongings,
chemical burns, dirty or neglected appearance and attachment
disorders. A parent using meth may appear fidgety, withdrawn or
depressed, may have rapid weight-loss, their skin may have open sores
and appear gray and leathery, and they may have foul breath and poor
dental hygiene. Child-care providers were warned to take note if a
parent mentions that they have not slept in days and then misses
appointments because they overslept. Meth users often go without sleep
for several days and then crash and sleep for days.

The group was reminded to be aware of what's going on in their own
neighborhoods. Be on the lookout for suspicious activity, such as
individuals purchasing large amounts of products such as cold
medicines, camping fuel, paint thinners, drain cleaners, and cat
litter. The child-care professionals were encouraged to call the
police if they had any suspicions. City residents should call the
Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333. County residents should
call the Rowan County Sheriff's Department at 704-636-1011. All calls
will remain anonymous.

Julia Eller, an early childhood educator from Rowan Medical Child
Development Center, said, "This training was really an eye-opener. My
father was in law enforcement, and I thought I knew all about drugs. I
had no idea the problem was this large. I am really going to watch out
for the children I care for and spread the word to the families."

Rosie Allen, executive director of the Rowan Partnership for Children,
thanked the child-care professionals for their commitment to the
safety and well-being of the children in their care. Allen recognized
the group for being the first early childhood professionals in the
state to participate in Meth Watch training.

Wilhelm gave the group one last piece of advice. "Children know a lot
more about what's going on around them than we adults give them credit
for. Listen closely to what the children say."