Children living in or exposed to methamphetamine manufacturing sites (“meth labs” or “meth houses”) are at increased risk of:

    ● Severe neglect

    ● Physical and sexual abuse from their families and from other individuals living at or frequenting the site

    ● Witnessing violence

    ● Unsanitary and dangerous living conditions

    ● Social and behavioral problems

Parents who are meth users often become careless, irritable, paranoid, and violent.  They are often unable to care for or protect their children.  They may neglect to provide for essentials such as food, sleeping accommodations, proper hygiene, and medical and dental care.  Children may be left to care for each other or to care for an incapacitated parent.  Meth-abusing parents may sleep for days at a time, increasing the risk that their children will be exposed to hazards.  Children may witness acts of violence, be forced to participate in acts of violence, or witness their parents being arrested.

Meth houses are often filthy.  Loaded firearms are typically within easy reach.  There may be explosives and booby traps set to deter law enforcement.  They may be located in substandard structures with dangerous electrical wiring.  Inhalant exposures may be increased due to poor ventilation; it is common for windows to be sealed to prevent odors from escaping.  They may lack heating, cooling, running water, electricity, and refrigeration.  They can be infested with rats, cockroaches, lice, fleas and other rodents and insects.  Animals may be allowed to urinate and defecate inside.  Meth houses have been discovered where cigarette butts, cast-off needles, syringes, pipes, and condoms litter the floor, and garbage is strewn throughout.  Similar items have been found in cribs and playpens.  Plumbing is often backed up and overflowing because the “cook” dumped corrosive chemicals down the toilet or drains.  Baby bottles have been found stored among toxic chemicals, and chemical products have been stored in food containers, juice and soft drink bottles, and cooking utensils.  Infants have been found with meth powder on their toys, clothes, bare feet and hands.  Unsanitary conditions, needle exposures, and unprotected sex can introduce E. coli, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and HIV.

Children living in meth manufacturing environments may experience stress and trauma, attachment disorder, shame, poor self-esteem, and develop poor social skills.  They are at increased risk for emotional and mental health problems, school absence, isolation, teen pregnancy, delinquency, and substance abuse.

                         Information from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime

                                                                                                                        July 2007