CHILD PROTECTION EFFORTS CONTINUE

A downward trend in local meth lab activity will not translate into a
reduction of activities for a group formed to protect children
exposed to such harmful drug environments.

The Caldwell County Drug-Endangered Children Coalition (DEC) held a
noon meeting Tuesday to update members on DEC activities and plans
for the future.

The local DEC group was first formed in the summer of 2005 to develop
a community network and protocols for caring for children who are
required to be removed from homes where drugs are being manufactured
or other hazardous situations.

"I've kind of had a passion not to let it die here," said Sheriff
Stan Hudson, one of the principals in the local group's organization.

"It just takes a little bit of everybody to get involved. I just
can't imagine a child having to go through what some of these
children go through," he said.

Child Protective Services officials and sheriff's units said no meth
labs requiring DEC action had been encountered since the DEC's last
meeting in May 2007.

"We've been lucky to have resources available, to have family
available for everyone," said CPS investigator Tonya Payne.

She did note a significant increase in prescription drug abuse, a
trend also mentioned by the sheriff and local school officials.

In Lyon County, added CPS investigator Kate Finnearty, another of the
DEC group's organizers, several backpacks provided by the Crossroads
Community Church in Eddyville have been utilized by children removed
from a home due to abuse and/or neglect issues.

The backpacks, one of the staples of the DEC protocols, contain an
array of personal care and comfort items to be given to children
taken from a home and placed in protective custody.

In a meth situation, officials said, the home is often contaminated,
and the child or children can take nothing from there when they leave.

The church acted on that and began the backpack program, called "Kids
at a Crossroads."

"This church decided they wanted to do something for these children,"
said Finnearty.

Women in the church fill all the backpacks, which are tailored to
specific ages and genders.

The packs, depending on the age of the children for which they are
intended, can include personal hygiene products, books, coloring
books, crayons, pens/pencils, notebooks, journals, stuffed animals,
jogging suits, flip-flops, blankets, etc.

Phyllis Glore is now in charge of the program. To donate or for more
information, contact her at (270) 388-0425.

The DEC presented the church with a certificate of appreciation
Tuesday for its efforts. Glore accepted on behalf of the church.

Another award went to Cash Express Manager Cassie Palmer, who
collects supplies for the program at the store.

"It takes a big heart to give to these kids," said Finnearty.

"I do feel fortunate to work for a company that allows us to give
back," Palmer said.

The group also welcomed some new partners from Trigg County: Barbara
and Jack Neher and their daughter, Tereasa Ingle, founders of "It's
My Very Own," an organization begun in 2005 that now has chapters in
43 states and three countries.

The group launched a "Bags of Love" program, designed to help ease
the transition for children removed from their homes.

Each bag, age- and gender-appropriate, includes a handmade comforter,
toys, a stuffed animal and personal care items.

The program was begun after an area news report spotlighted the issue
of children orphaned by a parent's drug addiction, abuse or neglect,
said Barbara Neher.

She and her family began making the quilts and bags themselves for
donation to the Trigg County CPS office. "I insist on handmade quilts
because they do spell love," she said. "This is a comforter. It is
very personal to these children."

After the program received regional and national attention, the
Nehers oversaw the formation of chapters across the country and
outside its borders.

For more information on the program, contact Neher at (270) 522-1494,
by mail at P.O. Box 1156, Cadiz, Ky., 42211, by e-mail at
jnbneher_1@bellsouth.net, or visit the Web site at www.imvo.org.