Photos from the inside of a meth bust

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The dangers of children in homes where meth labs exist

(WHAS11) - It is a heartbreaking peek into the innocent lives endangered by irresponsible parents—adults who expose their children to the risk of meth lab explosions, toxic residue and the drug itself.

A University of Kentucky College of Public Health program is leading the effort to document these kids - and the consequences of these crimes.  However, the Drug Endangered Child Training Network is itself at risk.  Its federal funding runs out at the end of August.

“Children of drug addicts, drug dealers and manufacturers are crime victims,” explained Holly Hopper, the Director and Principal Investigator of the program.

Photographs supplied by Hopper show the inside of Kentucky homes after meth labs are secured. One photo shows two little girls in their pajamas being documented by a tape measure by law enforcement.  It’s an effort to document their level of risk—how tall they are—how much meth was within their reach. That’s the first step now taken as Kentucky pioneers efforts to look out for these victims of meth.

Hopper says the program has several concerns.  “One is their health, particularly the respiratory system and their liver,” Hopper said.  “We’re concerned about their emotional well-being because of the chaos and violence for children in drug homes, particularly meth homes, and we’re concerned about their educational well-being.”

Hopper estimates up to 300 kids have been directly affected by meth in Kentucky this year. It’s a growing problem across the country  and a tragedy for children.  Exposed children will test positive for meth use, having been exposed to it when it’s being cooked within a home, and by the residue left behind on toys and other household objects, carpet and furniture. The long term effects are still being determined.  Childrens’ respiratory systems improve once they are in a safe, clean environment.

“However, the liver - we’re unsure,” Hopper cautioned, “We’re watching that because the chemicals used when making methamphetamine are highly associated with cancer and different neurological disorders.”

It’s obvious that kids found in meth homes are at risk. But Hopper wants teachers to be aware of warning signs.

“What they draw, what they write, what their play looks like. If they talk about their Mommy making medicine, or scary people coming into their house, many times they might not even know the person’s name. But they know they feel unsafe. Do their eyes or throats feel better at school than when they go home?”

Will they carry a scent?

“Absolutely,” Hopper said, “Their smell would knock us down, but children get used to it.”

Hopper says for the last four years, the Drug Endangered Child Training Network has tried to work miracles for these kids, now the UK program needs a miracle of their own—because the federal funding for the program runs out at the end of August, this Friday.