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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Kiti Freier, PhD, School of Science & Technology, Loma Linda University, 11130 Anderson St. Suite 102, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909-379-1507, kfreier@llu.edu and Lori Moriarty, CMDR, Thornton Police Department, 9500 Civic Center Drive, Thornton, CO 80229.

Currently, within the state of Colorado, methamphetamine is the most abused controlled substance. As law enforcement officers and other community service providers have become more knowledgeable of the seriousness and multi-faceted problems associated with methamphetamine, such as the hazardous environmental, health and psychological effects linked with the methamphetamine labs, children living or exposed to these dangerous environments are being recognized as unfortunate victims. The state of Colorado is actively examining existing structures, systems, and organizations to identify the current community response, what is working and what is needed, to attend to the unique physical and psychosocial needs of children who are exposed to drug environments. A three county qualitative study with community service providers (law enforcement, judicial, child services, health providers, caregivers etc) was conducted to examine current county/state systems in place and also identify needs related to data collection, formalized tracking, and alignment of resources. Focus groups were conducted over a two day period in each county. All data was collected in accordance with an IRB approved protocol. The data was analyzed by content analysis to identify system structures that were in place and to illuminate community need. Content analysis factors of importance included; collaboration, definition of need and success, barriers to service, treatment, and need for broader community involvement particularly in the health sector. It is hoped that the information from this study will be utilized for the development of targeted strategies to improve systematic, comprehensive and effective community & public health response to drug endangered children.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will attain a better understanding of the need for a broad community response to serve drug endangered children. Drug endangered children's needs will be addressed from a diversity of public health professions.

Keywords: Children With Special Needs, Environmental Exposures

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation