Another Cost of the “Meth” Epidemic
In a July 11th. article the NY Times studied another side effect of the unchecked growth of the Methamphetmine epidemic in America. Children in foster care.
They reported; In Oregon officials stated that their foster care client load would reduce by nearly half if “Meth” were eliminated. That amounts to nearly 2500 of the 5515 children they have in custody. Oklahoma estimates 16% and in Kentucky 12% additional case load due to “Meth”. In Tennessee the number of “Meth” children in custody went from 400 in 2003 to 700 in 2004.
It doesn’t take much of a thinker to realize that the State doesn’t make a good parent either in quality nor in cost effectiveness. Time and time again we see statistics where people arrested and in our prisons were a product of our foster care system.
This in no way is to infer that most foster care parents are bad. Our experience indicates the rules of the State, the movement of children from home to home and the feeling of abandonment on the part of the children who are not with their permanent family just doesn’t measure up to the “real” definition of a family.
It is time to look at the whole problem of “Meth” and it’s impact on our lives. Increased crimes of all types including child abuse; the added destruction of thousands of children with no “real” family and the costs of massive prisons to house these users.
Each of us owes it to our "American Family", meaning all of us, to take action.
Join with us at the Foundation; assist your local law enforcement and vote out every elected official who is soft on this drug that is destroying our American way of life. Ask every candidate you meet if "Meth", children and families are a priority.
They reported; In Oregon officials stated that their foster care client load would reduce by nearly half if “Meth” were eliminated. That amounts to nearly 2500 of the 5515 children they have in custody. Oklahoma estimates 16% and in Kentucky 12% additional case load due to “Meth”. In Tennessee the number of “Meth” children in custody went from 400 in 2003 to 700 in 2004.
It doesn’t take much of a thinker to realize that the State doesn’t make a good parent either in quality nor in cost effectiveness. Time and time again we see statistics where people arrested and in our prisons were a product of our foster care system.
This in no way is to infer that most foster care parents are bad. Our experience indicates the rules of the State, the movement of children from home to home and the feeling of abandonment on the part of the children who are not with their permanent family just doesn’t measure up to the “real” definition of a family.
It is time to look at the whole problem of “Meth” and it’s impact on our lives. Increased crimes of all types including child abuse; the added destruction of thousands of children with no “real” family and the costs of massive prisons to house these users.
Each of us owes it to our "American Family", meaning all of us, to take action.
Join with us at the Foundation; assist your local law enforcement and vote out every elected official who is soft on this drug that is destroying our American way of life. Ask every candidate you meet if "Meth", children and families are a priority.
posted by The Merlin Foundation | 8:20 PM
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