Children who live in drug households are often neglected or abandoned by their caregivers. They may:

• Take on the adult role in the family for the younger siblings
• Have inadequate supervision
• Have parents that are disconnected to the school
• Be chronically truant
• Lack needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
• Dress inappropriately for the season
• Appear dirty or smell unclean
• Appear extremely hungry or horde food

Because drug use often leads to violence, children in homes with drugs may be abused by their caregivers. Children who are being physically abused may:

• Exhibit anti-social behavior
• Be frightened of parent, caretaker or other adults
• Have injuries that do not fit the story
• Have injuries in the shape of an object - belt, cord, iron, etc.
• Deny there is a problem when other warning signs are present
• Have physical signs of being tied up or otherwise restrained
• Have unexplained fear
• Have grip marks on their arms
• Have unexplained injuries, broken bones, bruises, burns, open wounds, lacerations, welts, black eyes, or bite marks

Drug endangered children may be sexually abused by people using drugs. Children who are being sexually abused may:

• Have (or show) inappropriate interest in or knowledge of sex acts
• Exhibit regressive behavior
• Show self-destructive behaviors like cutting themselves or pulling out their hair
• Be afraid of being touched
• Touch others in inappropriate sexual ways
• Have difficulty walking or sitting
• Be in pain when going to the bathroom
• Have unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
• Have unexplained bleeding, wounds, bruising or pain in genital area

People on drugs may become very verbally abusive and manipulative to those around them. Children who are being mentally and emotionally abused may:

• Have difficulty making friends
• Wet or soil self
• Be apathetic
• Be unusually upset or anxious
• Be extremely timid or passive or pushy and hostile
• Exhibit behavioral, emotional and academic problems in school
• Have inadequate nurturing or affection
• Have low self-esteem
• Withdraw from situations they used to enjoy
• Be constantly afraid

Children who live in drug households can be exposed to the toxic chemicals used to “cook” meth or to the drugs themselves. Physical signs of exposure include:

• Extreme irritability
• Hallucinations
• Fever
• Headaches
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chest pain
• Difficult breathing, shortness of breath
• Sneezing and coughing
• Burns on the skin
• Skin irritation and redness
• Blurred vision
• Burning and watery eyes

There are many signs that people are using, selling or making dangerous drugs. You may have drug related activity in your neighborhood if:

• You find inhaling or injecting paraphernalia, such as razor blades, straws, heated spoons, or syringe
• The garbage contains numerous bottles, containers, stained bed sheets or coffee filters
• There are chemical odors coming from a house, the garbage, or a detached building
• Occupants of a home appear unemployed/underemployed yet have plenty of money or pay bills with cash
• There are frequent visitors to a home, building or area at all times of the day and night or at odd hours
• There are houses or buildings with windows blackened or curtains always drawn