Information For:Information For:

Foster/ Adoptive ParentsFoster/ Adoptive Parents

AndAnd

Other Care GiversOther Care Givers

Presented By:Presented By:

Mike P. McGuireMike P. McGuire22ndnd Judicial District Department of Judicial District Department of

Correctional Services- IowaCorrectional Services- Iowa

We Will Cover:We Will Cover:

The Impact of Methamphetamine on the The Impact of Methamphetamine on the Family System.Family System.

The implications for Foster/Adoptive The implications for Foster/Adoptive Parents and Caregivers.Parents and Caregivers.

Related System Issues.Related System Issues.

Strategies to Increase Positive Outcomes Strategies to Increase Positive Outcomes for Children, Families, and Caregivers. for Children, Families, and Caregivers.

DRUGS ARE A SERIOUS DRUGS ARE A SERIOUS PROBLEMPROBLEM

6th highest criminal caseload of the 94 districts in the United States

DRUGS ARE A SERIOUS DRUGS ARE A SERIOUS PROBLEMPROBLEM

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Nationwide Northern Iowa

Drug Trafficking Cases Meth Cases

62.3%

41.2%

69%

14.2%

SAD FACE OF METHSAD FACE OF METH

Methamphetamine Abuse and Methamphetamine Abuse and Child WelfareChild Welfare

Methamphetamine Is:Methamphetamine Is:

Highly AddictiveHighly Addictive

Initially Very Appealing to ManyInitially Very Appealing to Many

Initially a Performance Enhancing DrugInitially a Performance Enhancing Drug

A Drug That Knows No BoundariesA Drug That Knows No Boundaries

A Drug That Can Severely Impact a A Drug That Can Severely Impact a Persons Ability to Function Normally and Persons Ability to Function Normally and Especially to Parent!Especially to Parent!

Methamphetamine Users:Methamphetamine Users:

Most Often Have Other Drug HistoryMost Often Have Other Drug History

Substance Use Has Started in Substance Use Has Started in Adolescence or BeforeAdolescence or Before

Have Friends and Acquaintances that are Have Friends and Acquaintances that are Drug UsersDrug Users

Rarely Pay for the Drug InitiallyRarely Pay for the Drug Initially

Usage Often Quickly Escalates “Just Live Usage Often Quickly Escalates “Just Live to Use Meth”to Use Meth”

The Impact on Families:The Impact on Families:

Issues of Abuse and Neglect are Significant. Issues of Abuse and Neglect are Significant.

The Exposure of Children to Toxins Where Meth The Exposure of Children to Toxins Where Meth is made or Used is a Huge Problem.is made or Used is a Huge Problem.

Infants Who Were Perinatally Exposed Can Infants Who Were Perinatally Exposed Can Have a Wide range of IssuesHave a Wide range of Issues

Living Environment is Often Very PoorLiving Environment is Often Very Poor

In Iowa Estimates Are Approximately 50% of In Iowa Estimates Are Approximately 50% of Child Welfare Cases are Meth Related*Child Welfare Cases are Meth Related*Iowa Dept. of Human Services “Methamphetamine and Child Welfare-Carol GutchewskyIowa Dept. of Human Services “Methamphetamine and Child Welfare-Carol Gutchewsky

HEALTHY AND TROUBLED FAMILIESHEALTHY AND TROUBLED FAMILIES

Healthy FamiliesHealthy Families

Provide SafetyProvide Safety

Self-careSelf-care

Open communicationOpen communication

Individualized rolesIndividualized roles

ContinuityContinuity

Troubled FamiliesTroubled Families

Safety jeopardizedSafety jeopardized

Co-dependencyCo-dependency

Closed Closed communicationcommunication

Family rolesFamily roles

ChaosChaos

Information from the Children of Alcoholics Foundation

Children of Meth Using Parents Children of Meth Using Parents

Are Often in the Caretaker RoleAre Often in the Caretaker Role

Learn Not to TrustLearn Not to Trust

Have Issues with AttachmentHave Issues with Attachment

Are Often Exposed to Violence, Drug Are Often Exposed to Violence, Drug Sales, Sexual Issues, and Drugs Sales, Sexual Issues, and Drugs ThemselvesThemselves

Methamphetamine Exposed InfantsMethamphetamine Exposed InfantsDr. Rizwan Shah, MD, FAAPDr. Rizwan Shah, MD, FAAP

Blank Children’s Hospital-Des Moines, IowaBlank Children’s Hospital-Des Moines, Iowa

Symptoms May Vary and Can Be Difficult Symptoms May Vary and Can Be Difficult to Diagnoseto Diagnose

Treatment Should be Based on Symptoms Treatment Should be Based on Symptoms and Not Merely the Fact that Infant Was and Not Merely the Fact that Infant Was Drug AffectedDrug Affected

May be at Risk for Problems Later in LifeMay be at Risk for Problems Later in Life

Not All Infants/Children Exposed Will Have Not All Infants/Children Exposed Will Have Problems Problems

Dr. Shah’s Study Included 368 Infants and Dr. Shah’s Study Included 368 Infants and Children with Methamphetamine Children with Methamphetamine Accounting for 76% of the CasesAccounting for 76% of the Cases

Symptoms of Meth Exposed Infants Symptoms of Meth Exposed Infants and Children I and Children I

NB to 4 Weeks (Dopamine Depletion NB to 4 Weeks (Dopamine Depletion Syndrome)Syndrome)

Lethargic-Excessive SleepLethargic-Excessive Sleep

Poor Suck and Swallow CoordinationPoor Suck and Swallow Coordination

Sleep ApneaSleep Apnea

Symptoms of Meth Exposed Infants Symptoms of Meth Exposed Infants and Children IIand Children II

Four Weeks to Four Months AgeFour Weeks to Four Months Age

CNS Immaturity (effects on motor CNS Immaturity (effects on motor development)development)

Sensory Integration Problems-Tactile, Sensory Integration Problems-Tactile, Defensive, Texture IssuesDefensive, Texture Issues

Neurobehavioral Symptoms-Interaction-Neurobehavioral Symptoms-Interaction-Social DevelopmentSocial Development

Symptoms of Meth Exposed Infants Symptoms of Meth Exposed Infants and Children IIIand Children III

Six Months to Eighteen MonthsSix Months to Eighteen Months

The “Honeymoon Phase”The “Honeymoon Phase”

Symptom Free PeriodSymptom Free Period

Symptoms of Meth Exposed Infants Symptoms of Meth Exposed Infants and Children IIIand Children III

Eighteen Months to Five YearsEighteen Months to Five YearsSensory Integration Deficit (same as II)Sensory Integration Deficit (same as II)Less Focused AttentionLess Focused AttentionEasily DistractedEasily DistractedPoor Anger ManagementPoor Anger ManagementAggressive OutburstsAggressive OutburstsSpeech Language and developmental Speech Language and developmental Problems can occurProblems can occur

Despite The Challenges These Despite The Challenges These Kids Face:Kids Face:

We Must Guard Against Labeling!We Must Guard Against Labeling!

Methamphetamine and ParentingMethamphetamine and Parenting

Understanding the Use of Understanding the Use of Methamphetamine and Its Various Effects Methamphetamine and Its Various Effects is Helpful in Understanding its Impact on is Helpful in Understanding its Impact on Parenting Parenting

METHAMPHETAMINEMETHAMPHETAMINE

IrritabilityIrritability

AnxietyAnxiety

HallucinationsHallucinations

ParanoiaParanoia

Cognitive impairmentCognitive impairment

AggressivenessAggressiveness

Psychological Effects

METHAMPHETAMINEMETHAMPHETAMINE

Insomnia Insomnia

Extreme hyperactivity, excessive talkativenessExtreme hyperactivity, excessive talkativeness

Change in attitude or personalityChange in attitude or personality

Changes in friends or hiding of associatesChanges in friends or hiding of associates

Change in activitiesChange in activities

Drop in performanceDrop in performance

Loss of interest in familyLoss of interest in family

Behavioral Signs

Physical Signs of UsePhysical Signs of Use

Weight LossWeight LossDarkness Under the Eyes-”Sunken In”Darkness Under the Eyes-”Sunken In”Oily hair/SkinOily hair/SkinOdorOdorTeeth ProblemsTeeth ProblemsSkin Sores (“Crystal Mites”)Skin Sores (“Crystal Mites”)Dilated PupilsDilated PupilsCan’t Sit StillCan’t Sit Still

The Hierarchy of UseThe Hierarchy of Use

Users Will Frequently Escalate in:Users Will Frequently Escalate in:

How They UseHow They Use

How Much They UseHow Much They Use

How Frequently They Use How Frequently They Use

How Used:How Used:

Drink ItDrink It

Snort ItSnort It

Smoke ItSmoke It

Shoot ItShoot It

Not All Meth is Created EquallyNot All Meth is Created Equally

Can be significant differences in PurityCan be significant differences in Purity

Powdered Meth vs. Ice or GlassPowdered Meth vs. Ice or Glass

Cutting or “Stepping On It” Changes PurityCutting or “Stepping On It” Changes Purity

Issues In Foster Care And AdoptionIssues In Foster Care And Adoption

Safety IssuesSafety Issues

Foster/Adoptive Parents Need InformationFoster/Adoptive Parents Need Information

Training IssuesTraining Issues

Working With Birth FamiliesWorking With Birth Families

Support For FamiliesSupport For Families

Relative Caregiver IssuesRelative Caregiver Issues

Safety IssuesSafety Issues

Starts with Making Sure That DEC (Drug Starts with Making Sure That DEC (Drug Endangered Children) Protocols are Endangered Children) Protocols are FollowedFollowed

National DEC Protocol Offers Guidelines National DEC Protocol Offers Guidelines for Decontamination, Evaluation, for Decontamination, Evaluation, Treatment, and Placement for Children Treatment, and Placement for Children Found in Drug Labs. Found in Drug Labs.

Providing Information To Providing Information To Foster/Adoptive ParentsFoster/Adoptive Parents

Foster/Adoptive Parents Want and Need Foster/Adoptive Parents Want and Need to Know as Much Case History as to Know as Much Case History as Possible. Possible. This Should Include Information About the This Should Include Information About the Family Background, Degree and Type of Family Background, Degree and Type of Drug ExposureDrug ExposureAlso, Informing Families as Soon as Also, Informing Families as Soon as Possible What is Expected of Them is Possible What is Expected of Them is VitalVital

Families Need TrainingFamilies Need Training

Training Should be Practical, Realistic, Training Should be Practical, Realistic, and Offer Strategies that Help Families and Offer Strategies that Help Families Deal with Drug Affected Kids and ParentsDeal with Drug Affected Kids and Parents

Information on Drug Awareness Gives Information on Drug Awareness Gives Families a Working KnowledgeFamilies a Working Knowledge

Training Should Also Address the Effects Training Should Also Address the Effects of Actual, Environmental, and Social of Actual, Environmental, and Social Exposure to Drugs. Exposure to Drugs.

Working With Birth FamiliesWorking With Birth Families

Once Kept Apart in Many States, Foster and Once Kept Apart in Many States, Foster and Adoptive Parents Are being Asked to do More Adoptive Parents Are being Asked to do More with Birth Familieswith Birth Families

Working Together Helps to Increase Positive Working Together Helps to Increase Positive Outcomes for Children and FamiliesOutcomes for Children and Families

Foster/Adoptive Parents Should Receive Foster/Adoptive Parents Should Receive Specific Training on This Topic.Specific Training on This Topic.

Safety for Families Working with Meth Affected Safety for Families Working with Meth Affected Families Must be a Top Priority!Families Must be a Top Priority!

Support For FamiliesSupport For Families

Many States Have Statewide Foster/Adoptive Many States Have Statewide Foster/Adoptive Parent Support AssociationsParent Support Associations

NFPA and NACAC Provide Resources on a NFPA and NACAC Provide Resources on a National LevelNational Level

Many Local Groups Exist for Families as WellMany Local Groups Exist for Families as Well

Specialized Support Groups can be HelpfulSpecialized Support Groups can be Helpful

All of These Types of Groups Provide Support, All of These Types of Groups Provide Support, Training, Resources for FamiliesTraining, Resources for Families

Relative Caregiver IssuesRelative Caregiver Issues

Presents many of the Same Issues that Presents many of the Same Issues that Foster/Adoptive Parents Face-However, Foster/Adoptive Parents Face-However, Additional Dynamics are Present!Additional Dynamics are Present!

Other “System” IssuesOther “System” Issues

Child Welfare Systems Often Too Child Welfare Systems Often Too Overloaded to Provide Support to FamiliesOverloaded to Provide Support to FamiliesIssues with “Concurrent Planning” Can be Issues with “Concurrent Planning” Can be Difficult For FamiliesDifficult For FamiliesLack of Training for System Professionals Lack of Training for System Professionals About DrugsAbout DrugsAddicted Parents Trying to “Beat The Addicted Parents Trying to “Beat The System” and Kids Being Returned to System” and Kids Being Returned to Unsafe SituationsUnsafe Situations

The “Time Paradox”The “Time Paradox”

Clock Starts Ticking When Child RemovedClock Starts Ticking When Child Removed

Effective Meth Recovery Needs to Be Effective Meth Recovery Needs to Be Long termLong term

Parents Dealing With Loss, Grief, Parents Dealing With Loss, Grief, Recovery Issues, etc. Recovery Issues, etc.

Time Can “Run Out” Before Issues Are Time Can “Run Out” Before Issues Are Appropriately Dealt WithAppropriately Dealt With

Strategies That Can HelpStrategies That Can Help

Coordinated Efforts That Include Coordinated Efforts That Include Prevention, Prevention, Treatment, and Enforcement Treatment, and Enforcement Working Closely Working Closely With Child Welfare AgenciesWith Child Welfare Agencies Utilizing Treatment Approaches that Offer Long Utilizing Treatment Approaches that Offer Long Term Support and Monitoring (i.e. Drug Court)Term Support and Monitoring (i.e. Drug Court)Promoting an Atmosphere of Teamwork Promoting an Atmosphere of Teamwork Between Between Foster/Adoptive Families, Birth Foster/Adoptive Families, Birth Families, and Child Welfare Agencies Families, and Child Welfare Agencies is Best is Best PracticePracticeLicensing Practices that Promote Smoother Licensing Practices that Promote Smoother Transitions to Permanency (Dual Licensing)Transitions to Permanency (Dual Licensing)

The Iowa Foster and Adoptive The Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parent AssociationParent Association

Offers Support and Offers Support and Training to Families.Training to Families.

Liaison programLiaison program

Adoption Information Adoption Information SpecialistSpecialist

FAIR LineFAIR Line

Special Activities Special Activities Throughout the YearThroughout the Year

TrainingTraining

6 Hour Comprehensive Drug Awareness6 Hour Comprehensive Drug Awareness

6 Hour “Working with Birth Families”6 Hour “Working with Birth Families”

DEC TrainingDEC Training

Numerous Other 2-6 Hour Classes for Numerous Other 2-6 Hour Classes for familiesfamilies