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Child Neglect & Drug Addiction

The growth of illegal drug use in America has created many addicts. Of these, many are parents who, through their allegiance to their drugs of choice, neglect their children or subject them to harm by others.

  1. Neglect Defined

    • Child neglect most commonly occurs when a parent cannot or will not provide a safe and supervised atmosphere for his child. Also, a parent who does not provide decent food, clothing, shelter or medical care for his child commits child neglect.

    Drug Addicted Parents

    • Parents who abuse illegal drugs expose their children to that abuse, which encourages the children to use drugs as they become older.

    Effect on Parenting

    • Since illegal drugs can produce varying effects ranging from malaise and indifference to hypertension, panic and violence, they can cause the parent to severely neglect the child's needs and safety.

    Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act

    • Through the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), states are required to notify their individual child protective services of any newborn children who are affected by their parents' illegal drug use. About 25 states, as of April 2010, already include statutory rules dealing with the exposure of children to illicit drug activity

    Child Protection

    • In California, if a child is exposed to his parents' use or sale of illicit drugs, the child can be removed from those parents and placed in more secure surroundings such as foster care. The parents can also be charged with child endangerment, child abuse or neglect. Most states have similar laws.

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