FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Rafael Lemaitre 202–395–6649
Cell in Iowa: 202–368–8424

Monday, October 6th, 2003

WHITE HOUSE DRUG POLICY OFFICE LAUNCHES NATIONAL INITIATIVE TO ASSIST "DRUG ENDANGERED CHILDREN"

More Than 3,000 Children Rescued from Meth Labs Last Year

(Washington, D.C.)—Scott Burns, Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), today announced a new national initiative aimed at assisting children who have been put in danger by parents and guardians involved with manufacturing or growing illegal drugs.

The Drug Endangered Children program (DEC), will bring together law enforcement officers with child welfare workers so that children who are found in drug production environments receive appropriate attention and care. Young children are often found living in squalid conditions in homes housing methamphetamine labs which contain toxic chemicals used to manufacture the drug. Many are found suffering from family violence, emotional abuse, neglect and dysfunctional care giving. Last year, over 3,000 children were found to be affected during seizures of over 15,000 methamphetamine labs nationwide. Over 1,300 of those children were exposed to toxic chemicals used in drug production.

The $2.5 million national DEC initiative will provide coordination between existing state programs and develop a standardized training program which will extend the program to other states. Statewide DEC programs have already been established in California, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Oklahoma. The initiative will also establish a national DEC training coordinator who will respond to the demand for training from communities coping with the destructive impact of illegal methamphetamine labs on children.

Scott Burns, Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs for the Office of National Drug Control Policy stated, "The illegal drug business brings violence and misery to every segment of our population - including innocent children. Children who have been exposed to toxic chemicals, criminal activity and abusive parents deserve immediate medical attention and care. This program will help deal with yet another consequence of this destructive drug trade."