Danger to Children - Barry County Methamphetamine Prevention Task Force

See Details:		Physical/Psychological		Chemical		Dump Sites/Trash		Children		Secondary

Meth causes problems…
Abused and Neglected Children Homes become unsafe to live in and cannot be inhabited until extensive and expensive clean-up occurs Health and Human Service agencies experience an increased demand for services (and increased expenditures) Meth dump sites harm our environment and can be harmful to people And the list continues…
Children are more at risk!
Higher breathing rate, higher metabolic rate, higher GI absorption and LESS body weight Closer to breathing zone for vapors heavier than air; hand-to-mouth activity Closer to common reservoirs (carpets, etc.) Developing brain
What has been observed in “meth lab kids”?
Children taken from labs in CO suffered from chronic cough, skin rash, eye irritation Some children were followed over time: 90% found to be reliant on inhalers 50% found to be learning disabled Most were malnourished Most displayed erratic sleeping habits Source: Mesa County Colorado Human Services; Yale University