Pubdate: Fri, 08 Jul 2005
Source: Times-Journal, The (Fort Payne, AL)
Copyright: 2005 Times-Journal
Contact:  http://www.times-journal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1883
Author: Kelly Townsend

CONCERN GROWING FOR DEKALB'S 'METH ORPHANS'

When a child exposed to methamphetamine is placed in foster care, it is
standard procedure for all of their clothes, bottles, blankets and toys to
be tossed out.

Everything has to be replaced, and Department of Human Resources' Executive
Director Jennice Floyd said such replacements could cause a financial
burden.

And that's one of the main reasons the "Meth Orphan" program, sponsored by
Lee Marshall and the Kids to Love Foundation, is coming to DeKalb County.

Mickey Bell, the program coordinator, recently told social workers at the
DeKalb County Department of Human Resources the program is funded through
donations from businesses and agencies throughout the county.

"When supporters make a donation to support your county, the money will go
solely to help the children in your county," Bell said. "The donations are
made to Kids to Love Foundation and are earmarked for the purpose of the
projects the donor would like to sponsor."

Bell told the workers when trying to decide how to use the vouchers to be
sensitive to the need of that child.

"You are with these children and know what they need, "Bell said. "The main
purpose of this program is to make sure the children are provided for in
every way that is possible."

Resource Coordinator Angie Bell said the meth problem is continuously
increasing.

"This can be seen through the number of children in foster because of meth,"
Angie Bell said. "Not only is this number increasing, but so are their
needs."

In DeKalb County, in May there were 68 meth-related reports where 22
children had to be taken out of the home, according to Floyd.

"Every child we pick up from this type of scenario, they can't take anything
they previously had in their possession with them," Floyd said. "It is a
huge financial burden especially, since meth is a growing problem in this
area and a program like this is going to be a great asset for our area." 
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