This article discusses how the opioid crisis affects families and in some cases shifts guardianship to older siblings or grandparents. It is heartbreaking what some of this children are exposed to at such a young age and how quickly that are forced to grow up. This exchange between Bill Whitaker and nine-year-old Cheyenne Nunn is hard to read:
Bill Whitaker: Did you have enough food?
Cheyenne Nunn: Sometimes but not always. I hid it under my bed.
Bill Whitaker: What would you hide?
Cheyenne Nunn: Top Ramen. Something easy to cook.
Bill Whitaker: How old were you?
Cheyenne Nunn: Five, six.
Bill Whitaker: How did you know to step up and take care of your little sister and cook?
Cheyenne Nunn: I knew that she needed it. So I decided to be what -- something I'm not.
Bill Whitaker: Which is?
Cheyenne Nunn: A grownup.
Bill Whitaker: You decided to be a grownup?
Cheyenne Nunn: Yea, I tried to be a grownup for Lilah.
Can you guys think of any types of resources that can be put into place so that five-year-olds don't have to be grownups? Also, I take my hat off to the grandparents who are willing to start over and become parents again. It's easy to say we all would do the same if the time came, but it's much harder to actually be willing to sacrifice retirement to change diapers.
I think Family and Child Services could help with struggling families. They offer crisis relief for families going through situations like this. It is unfair that these kids have to act like adults, five year olds can barely tie their shoes let allow raise their younger siblings.
ReplyDeleteTo do this there needs to be a large increase in funding for Family and Child Services. I have a family member that works with Child Protective Services (CPS), and she always talks about how overextended and underfunded the department is. I think more funding will help the quality of work that the department provides, especially since most children go into foster care system via CPS
DeleteIt’s sad that these children often times have to fend for themselves, or are put into inadequate living situations. It really makes you think about the victims of the opioid crisis outside of addicts
ReplyDeleteIts hard to think what could be simply done to help children in these terrible situations. I keep going back to schools and how after school programs/ mentors could have huge impacts in their lives. So sad. These suggestions can only do so much.
DeleteI think money paid and seized from those big pharma companies and drug dealers. Could be put towards helping support the children and families of those struggling with addiction. Since they are a big root of the problem.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
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ReplyDeleteAgree with comments above. Besides, I believe especially psychological health of children from addict families should receive special care.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Randi's idea for funding. This is sad. Growing up, I had some friends who had parents that struggled with addiction. These parents had a hard time taking care of themselves, let alone their children. We absolutely have to act in the best interest of the child. It would be cool if we could also help parents seek help so that they are fit to be involved in their child's life again in some way or another.
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