JUVENILE JUDGE SAYS METH HURTS FAMILIES

Associate Juvenile Judge Victor G. Lathrop says methamphetamine or other
drugs are involved in about half of his cases in Story County.

Lathrop has been on the bench since 1985. The frequency of meth surfacing
in his courtroom has increased in recent years.

"When a parent is involved in meth or other drugs, that seems to override
the parental interests," he said. "They are usually not able to supervise
their child. The use of the drug controls their life to the point where the
children are not getting adequate supervision."

Lathrop handles many cases which involve the potential termination of
parental rights. He must determine what is in the best interests of the
children. He said he often reminds people "that as time marches on the
consequences are harsher."

"The parents involved with meth are not able to get themselves together and
stay together for a great period of time," Lathrop said. "Drug abuse
worsens the neglect."

Lathrop said that meth and drug users who successfully seek help accept
that they have a problem and are willing to change their lifestyle and be
placed into an inpatient treatment program.

"They have to be willing to change their entire lifestyle," he said. "They
have to avoid coming back in front of me."

Not all are successful. Many times Lathrop has to remove children from
their parents or take other actions.

"But if we didn't have anything successful it wouldn't be worth going
through the process," he said.