METH AFFECTS CHILD ABUSE IN COUNTY

The cooking and use of methamphetamine has ruined many lives here in
Cumberland County, and the ones that seem to be affected most are the
helpless children who are exposed to the deadly drug.

The Upper Cumberland Region of the Tennessee Department of Children's
Services covers 14 counties including Cumberland. There are currently 650
children from the region in foster care. Of that number, 395 are located in
a foster home outside their county and 127 are in a home outside this region.

In 2002 there were a total of 31 children removed from their homes in
Cumberland County. The first two months of 2003 have seen 24 kids taken
from their homes already and all have been due to the presence of
methamphetamine in the home.

According to Amanda Cravens, who works for the state of Tennessee in foster
care recruitment, "The abuse caused by methamphetamine is present in more
ways than one. Just being in the presence of the drug being cooked is one
way and sometimes the drug use can result in the kids being physically harmed."

Cravens said, "Once the children are removed from a home, there is very
little chance that they will be allowed back. We are pushing hard now in
searching for other relatives to take care of the kids." She added, "We are
always in need of homes. More and more grandparents and aunts and uncles
are raising children of meth parents."

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Wednesday, April 2, is being
celebrated as a "Day of Hope." Cravens said that the month will be spent
trying to get the word out regarding the prevention of child abuse. There
will also be a foster parenting class beginning on April 29 at the
Tennessee Technology Center. The initial meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m.
and the class lasts for 10 weeks with one class per week.