Chapter IX: Drug Endangered Children

CHANGE # 11-2008

DECEMBER 2008

I. INTRODUCTION

While not as prevalent as in years past, North Carolina continues to be confronted with methamphetamine (sometimes shortened as “meth”) problems that are unmatched by other illegal drugs in the past. Recognizing that there are other drugs that are produced in clandestine laboratories, due to the extreme volatility and dangers methamphetamine production poses to North Carolina communities, this policy section focuses on methamphetamine laboratories. Methamphetamine is a synthetic narcotic that is inexpensive and easy to make with ingredients that are relatively easy to obtain (although on January 15, 2006 the North Carolina General Assembly passed one of the toughest laws in the country restricting the sales of cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, a primary precursor ingredient in methamphetamine production). The chemicals, production process and the waste generated by the production of methamphetamine in laboratories pose very serious dangers to public safety and to the environment. Some of these dangers include toxic poisoning, chemical and thermal burns, fires and explosions. During the production of methamphetamine (known as “cooking” or “the cook”) one pound of methamphetamine can generally yield five to seven pounds of toxic waste with this waste being introduced into the environment by burning or dumping.

While the number of methamphetamine laboratories discovered in North Carolina has declined since 2006, these laboratories continue to pose very real dangers to the communities in which they are located. The majority of methamphetamine laboratories discovered have been located in the western part of the state. However, since 2001 there has been a gradual progression in the number of discovered laboratories eastward across the state. In 1999, there were only nine confirmed methamphetamine laboratories in North Carolina. That number rose to 16 in 2000 (a 78% increase), 34 in 2001 (a 113% increase from the previous year), 98 in 2002 (a 188% increase from the previous year) and 177 in 2003. That is a 1,867% increase in the number of laboratories discovered within a four-year period and clearly underscores the increase of public awareness in the dangers of methamphetamine production in North Carolina. During the 1999 – 2003 timeframe, as the number of confirmed laboratories continued to grow, North Carolina also witnessed an increase in the size of the laboratories that were raided. “Super labs” are laboratories that produce ten or more pounds of methamphetamine at a time.¹

Nationally, children have been found in approximately 25 -30% percent of raided laboratories. The children who live in and around methamphetamine laboratories have a high risk of harm due to their developmental nature, the abuse and neglect that their parents / caretakers and others that frequent the home inflict on them and their inability to protect themselves. The children in these homes are also exposed to serious toxicities and dangers that could have long-term effects on their health and development. The long-term effects of child exposure to methamphetamine production continues to be an area of intense study.

Representatives from several county and state agencies have come together as a work group to address the issues of methamphetamine laboratories and safety for the children and the professionals that respond to these sites. The North Carolina Division of Social Services has taken the lead in writing policy and protocol with the help of this work group. Due to the safety risks to children, county Departments of Social Services (DSS) staff responding to these situations, and the communities in which these laboratories are located, it is imperative that guidelines and procedures for responding to methamphetamine laboratories are in place. It is also very important that everyone has clear role definitions in regards to responding to a methamphetamine laboratory site that involves children. The North Carolina General Assembly appropriated funding for policy development and training for county child welfare social workers. Because of the seriousness of the situation, the 2003 legislative session, the General Assembly passed House Bill 1510 and House Bill 1536 that imposes stiffer penalties for possession of precursor substances and manufacturing methamphetamine in the presence of a person under the age of 18.

¹ North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation