PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM METH

GULFPORT - By the numbers

The state Bureau of Narcotics reports the following on methamphetamine
cases since 2001:

1,200: Number of meth labs raided.

265: Number of children removed from homes with meth
labs.

A 3-year-old removed from a home with a methamphetamine lab in North
Mississippi tests positive for meth.

A hallucinating meth addict in Arizona sets his girlfriend's daughter
on fire. Another in Texas decapitates his 15-year-old son. Both
addicts believed the children were evil or Satan incarnate,
investigators said.

These true stories point to why narcotics agents and social workers
statewide are teaming up to help drug-endangered children. Training
under way in a conference at Grand Casino Oasis shows them how to work
together in ways they've never done before, authorities said.

"We used to remove these kids, turn them over to grandma and grandpa
and sent the parents to jail," said Maj. Randy Johnson of the
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

About 35 to 46 percent of children exposed to meth test positive for
the illegal drug, said Tim Ahumada, a conference instructor and child
abuse investigator from Phoenix. Chronic meth use leads to symptoms
similar to Parkinson's disease and damages vital organs, he said.

"We didn't realize what we were doing. If we don't get the kids help,
will they be able to learn their ABCs or learn to count when they
start school?"

The conference, which ends today, is one of two statewide that offers
the training, which includes clandestine lab activity,
decontamination, medical protocol, temporary placement and procedures
for follow-up medical care.

"These meth cooks wear respirators and protective gloves while their
baby is crawling around on the floor where the toxic residue is,"
Ahumada said.

"I've never seen a drug as evil or wicked as meth," Ahumada said. "It
destroys the fiber of what we see as a family unit. Meth addicts will
tell you they have to write notes to remind themselves to feed the
baby or change its diapers. It's not unusual to see a 5-year-old
caring for younger siblings or being the adult in the family."

About 12 states have developed a drug-endangered children's program
since 1991.

"This will reduce the trauma to children, ensure them medical
evaluations and find them a safe haven where they can flourish with
love and nurturing instead of having to grow up in a meth-infested
environment," said Billy Mangold, director of children's services for
the state Department of Human Services.

George Phillips, MBN director, said he can't think of anything as
important as efforts to help drug-endangered children.

Gov. Haley Barbour also addressed participants Monday. U.S. Sen Thad
Cochran will speak at the conference today.

The training is funded by a $250,000 grant to MBN from the U.S.
Justice Department's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

Coming Next Week

Beginning Sunday, The Sun Herald will run a special six-day series
focusing on the drug problems among young people in South Mississippi.
The series is running in conjunction with Red Ribbon Week, a time each
year when schools help raise drug awareness.