This article talks more about how parents who become addicts lose their children to foster care (a topic brought up last week). It is a big issue in New Hampshire, who is amongst the top 3 states that have been hurt the most by this crisis.
http://www.wmur.com/article/ongoing-opioid-crisis-takes-toll-on-nh-families/20734120
“Last year, 688 children were put into foster care in New Hampshire; 67 percent of them were placed because of family substance abuse. The number of terminated parental rights cases increased 63 percent in the past year. O'Neill said she believes courts are backlogged, and with a shortage of DCYF caseworkers and attorneys, the system is struggling.”
Any comment would suffice. If you’re feeling it, you can answer: Did this provide any surprising stats/info? Are there any entities you think are in a position to help?
I guess after reading I wasn’t all that surprised as if parents are becoming addicts, they have the chance to lose their ability to perform in a parental role. I do think it is very sad. I’m sure they look to place the kids with family first, but those with no willing family will end up in foster care. Only thing I can think of is provide increased treatment to prevent this in the first place.
ReplyDeleteThat's really sad. I read a SIP in the psych department of how kids that go through the foster care system in Kzoo struggle a lot to find economic stability, so I hope that the foster care system starts to have more funding and to place kids in families that can support them adequately.
ReplyDeleteThis article really reinforces the severity of the opioid crisis. It makes sense that parents who abuse drugs lose their ability to raise their children in a safe environment, but like Guillermo's comment, we need to ensure that the foster system provides a healthy upbringing for these children.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching The Trade TV show, in episode 2 or 3 when they arrested the one dealer with children inside you could see how disgusting the living conditions were. When your parents are complete addicts they often seem to neglect basic needs of their children. I agree with the comments above that the foster care system should be a safe place for children.
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