NCJ Number
122326
Journal
Protecting Children Dated: (Winter 1989-1990) Pages: 15-19,23
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
There exists a critical shortage of statistical data at the national level on the impact of parental substance abuse on young children.
Abstract
Evidence is now abundant that drug-exposed infants exist in large numbers across the country, however, the true incidence of cocaine-crack babies is not known. Child welfare professionals are concerned about the adverse effects of parental substance abuse on young children, as well as the recent dramatic increase in the national child substitute care population. Children living with substance abusing parents are often at higher risk of abuse and neglect, either due to violent reactions induced by some drugs or because the addiction overrides all other concerns of the parent. Current State child welfare information systems are unable to produce much statistical data on these cases because the information collected focuses on the types of alleged abuse rather than the causes, and the problems have increased so quickly that agencies have been unable to modify their information gathering practices in a timely manner. The four specific types of statistical data needed are counts of drug-exposed infants referred to the Child Protective Service (CPS) system, drug-exposed infants placed in substitute care, children in families of substance-abusing parents/caretakers referred to the CPS system, and children placed in substitute care due to parental/caretaker substance abuse. 7 notes and references.