ST. LOUIS, Mo. (June 30, 2009)- The Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children will hold its first summit on July 21 - 22, 2009 at the Resort at Port Arrowhead in Lake Ozark, Missouri to address the needs of drug endangered children.
Missouri continual has the highest number of clandestine meth lab incidents in the country, with more than 20 percent of all incidents nationally reported by the Drug Enforcement Administration, according to Shannon Stokes, president of the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children and director of programs for Kids Hope United. "The Summit is a call to action to address the needs of drug endangered children, who, through no intent of their own, are caught in these situations."
Drug endangered children are defined as those who are exposed to the manufacture, distribution or use of drugs. Damage to these children can be both physical and psychological including physical, emotional and sexual abuse. These children also experience neglect in the form of the parents failure to nurture, supervise, or provide meals, sanitary and safe living conditions, schooling and medical care.
Leaders in child protection, substance abuse, mental health, law enforcement, health care, juvenile justice, family services and community volunteers will meet at the summit to discuss the effects of drug environments on children. The group will look at the best ways for the state and local communities to work together to ensure that when children are found living within drug environments, their best interests are served.
The summit will include both national and local speakers. Lori Moriarty, executive director of the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, will present the keynote address at noon on July 21. Moriarty served as the commander of the North Metro Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional undercover drug unit in Colorado, where she spearheaded efforts for safe removal of children from methamphetamine labs. She has educated thousands of professionals nationwide about hazardous drug environments and their effects on children. Moriarty has appeared on ABC News' 20/20, MSNBC, NPR, PBS and Fox National News.
Educational sessions include DEC 101, for basic information about efforts nationwide to serve drug endangered children through community collaborations; and the American College of Medical Toxicology's Methamphetamine Course, looking at the health effects of methamphetamines and its manufacture from medical, social and legal perspectives.
Forums are scheduled to hear what local groups are doing in Missouri communities and to discuss how those efforts can be strengthened and expanded.
Any individual who is concerned about the effects on children of drug manufacturing, sales or use is encouraged to attend the summit. More information about registration can be found at the Web site for the Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children: www.mo-dec.org.
The Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children was established in 2008 with the mission of supporting communities in serving and protecting children and families from drug environments. State agencies and statewide private, nonprofit organizations make up the Missouri Alliance, and work closely with the national group and local efforts to address the needs of children.
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About Kids Hope United
Kids Hope United is a private human service organization dedicated to protecting children and strengthening families. Kids Hope United offers a diverse array of prevention, intervention and community-based programs. Kids Hope United also specializes in child welfare system management, reform, consultation and training. With principal offices in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Florida, Kids Hope United serves more than 15,000 children and their families across the country each year. For more information, visit www.kidshopeunited.org.
