There is a growing group of victims affected by the abuse of illegal drugs – children. These young people are referred to as “drug endangered children” and they may suffer physical or psychological harm or neglect resulting from exposure to illegal drugs or persons under the influence of illegal drugs or exposure to dangerous environments where drugs are being manufactured or chemicals used to make drugs are accessible.

These harms may include injury from explosion, fire or exposure to toxic chemicals found at clandestine lab sites; physical abuse; sexual abuse; medical neglect and; lack of basic care including failure to provide meals, sanitary and safe living conditions or schooling.

Drug endangered children are part of a very large population of children whose lives have been seriously and negatively impacted by dangerous drugs. This applies to children who:

• Are under 18 years of age
• Suffer physical, emotional or mental harm or neglect from direct or indirect exposure to illegal drugs or alcohol
• Live in a house where illegal drugs are used and/or manufactured
• Who ingest or inhale illegal drugs in the home
• Are exposed to the toxic chemicals of home drug labs
• As an infant are exposed to illegal drugs in-utero
• Suffer physical abuse or neglect because of a caretaker’s substance abuse

Denver and other communities are forming alliances dedicated to rescuing, protecting, sheltering and supporting drug endangered children. We coordinate and collaborate with the Denver Police Department, Denver Human Services, medical professionals and others to rescue, protect, shelter and treat drug endangered children.

For more information about this important work, visit the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children: www.nationaldec.org and the Colorado Alliance for Drug Endangered Children: www.colodec.org