Children of Drug Addicts Speak at Conference

John Daley ReportingPolice, prosecutors and health care providers are teaming up to combat a growing problem in Utah -- drug endangered children. Because of meth, heroin and other drugs, families are feeling the pain most intensely, especially children

We heard heartbreaking stories today at a conference regarding Utah's Drug Endangered Children. The common thread when mom or dad, or both, have a drug problem, their kids get hurt the most. A panel of kids mets to do a very adult thing, tell a conference of adults their stories about the impact their parents' drug use has had on their lives.

Ten-year-old John's dad is in prison, mom is in rehab; both have been hooked on heroin.

John: "For all the disappointments they've given me, I've told them, 'don't do it again, don't do it again,' every day that they hurt me and I got really mad at them."

Amanda, John's cousin, endured the death of her mother when she was three and a half, of a heroin overdose.

Amanda: "I've always wondered what it would be like if my mom hadn't died and if I were still living with them. I've like always wondered where we'd be, if we'd have a nice life or something."

The mother of 15-year-old Audrey has had five children since she started doing drugs. None live with her.

Audrey: "It's meth and it's caused my family to fall apart. My mom's not the way she used to be."

Meth and other drugs abused are having a huge impact; problems range from abuse to neglect to a failure of parents to provide medical or dental care.

Steve Cutler, Detective, Salt Lake Police/DEA: "So they're in dirty diapers, they don't have the food, they're sleeping on the floor. If you look at the bottom of the feet, they're black because the floor has never been cleaned. Or the floor's sticky, you stick to the floor when you walk in."

Karen Buchi, Professor of Pediatrics, Uni. of Utah: "Methanphetamine has just taken a hold, especially of women in child bearing age. It is the number one reason why women who are in county supported treatment, seek treatment is meth abuse."

The kids say they'd all like one thing, some understanding.

John: "I just wish the kids who were normal would realize how it is and not make fun of us."

Law enforcement and health care professionals say the thing that's needed most to help these kids and their parents is more funding for treatment programs to help drug-addicted parents kick the habit so they can rebuild their lives.

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