1. Drug Endangered Children and the Marijuana issue

2. Objectives
Review the Concepts, Drive and Philosophy behind the Colorado Drug Endangered Children Movement and WHY we care about this issue
Review the Colorado Marijuana Issue and the Course of where it’s been and headed
Discuss the Distribution, Cultivation and Hazardous Issues that can Impact Children
Discuss the Issues at Hand with a typical situation
Hear about Benefits vs. Harms

3. Safe, Healthy, Happy Children
Normal Emotional Development Requires:
A predictable, consistent environment
Positive caregiver relationships
Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders Author(s):   Children's Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect., ICF International.  Year Published:  2009

4. Parental Substance Abuse
Negative Impact on Children
Chaotic & Unpredictable Environments
Negative Impact on the physical and emotional well-being of children
Chaotic & unpredictable home environments
Children’s needs are not a priority
Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders Author(s):   Children's Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect., ICF International.  Year Published:  2009

5. Drug Endangered Children Defined
Children are drug endangered when their caregiver’s substance use, or involvement in the illegal drug trade, results in child maltreatment or interferes with their ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment.
DEC Definition for Colorado

6. Children + Drugs = RISK manufacture, cultivate, distribute, and/or
A child living with parents or caregivers who:
manufacture,
cultivate,
distribute, and/or
abuse substances
Children + Drugs = RISK

7. Children at Risk
9.2 million children in the United States live in homes where a parent or other adult uses illicit drugs
SOURCE: National Center on Addiction and
Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA), 2005 7

8. Children at Risk
Individuals with substance use disorders are more likely to abuse or neglect their children
SOURCE: CSAT, 2005; Price & Simmel, 2002; Young, Gardner, & Dennis, 1998; CSAT, 2004 8

9. Impact to Children Children whose parents abuse alcohol or drugs are:
3 times more likely to be verbally, physically or sexually abused
4 times more likely than other children to be neglected
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, Family Matters: Substance Abuse and The American Family, 3/2005
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, Vol. 34, No. 3, June 2006, pp. 273–292 ( C 2006)
Linking Substance Use and Problem Behavior Across Three Generations
Jennifer A. Bailey,1,2 Karl G. Hill,1 Sabrina Oesterle,1 and J. David Hawkins1
A Guide for Caring Adults Working with Young People Experiencing Addiction in the Family, CSAT, SAMHSA

10. Children at Risk
Child abuse and neglect increase a person’s risk of later substance use.
Meaning?
SOURCE: CSAT, 2005; Price & Simmel, 2002; Young, Gardner, & Dennis, 1998; CSAT, 2004 10

11. Children at Risk
Children of parents with substance use disorders have a higher likelihood of developing substance use problems themselves.
SOURCE: CSAT, 2005; Price & Simmel, 2002; Young, Gardner, & Dennis, 1998; CSAT, 2004 11

12. Understanding Risk All drug endangered children are at risk
How much risk and risk for what varies
TRAINER TALKING POINTS:
Children living in these [drug] environments are often subject to adverse childhood events such as physical, emotional, and psychological trauma (Barnard & McKeganey, 2004), putting them at risk for negative long-term consequences.
As such, it can be assumed that ALL drug endangered children are at risk, but at how much risk and risk for what [varies].
SOURCE: “Drug Endangered Children: Risk Factors & Neuropsychological and Psychosocial Development” (Kiti Freier Randall, PhD) 12

13. Marijuana Cultivation Risk
There have always been risks to children with Marijuana Cultivations
Risk is Risk, no matter the legality
Focus on Parenting, the Environment and what CAN go wrong
TRAINER TALKING POINTS:
Children living in these [drug] environments are often subject to adverse childhood events such as physical, emotional, and psychological trauma (Barnard & McKeganey, 2004), putting them at risk for negative long-term consequences.
As such, it can be assumed that ALL drug endangered children are at risk, but at how much risk and risk for what [varies].
SOURCE: “Drug Endangered Children: Risk Factors & Neuropsychological and Psychosocial Development” (Kiti Freier Randall, PhD) 13

14. Marijuana Issue Components
Culture of Marijuana World
Perception of Risk
Availability of Product
Decriminalization
Use and Distribution
Cultivations
Centers, Ads and Propaganda
What is Next for the State?

15. Scope of the Issue History 2009 Amendment 20 in 2000
Still Constitutionally in Place
Patient, Caregiver & Physicians Model
6 plants/2 oz.s
“Recommendations” not Prescriptions
2009
Dispensary Wave-Counter Increase in Home Grows

16. Scope of the Issue Continued
Last Year What Changed
A caregiver can only have (5) patients plus themselves, thus a max of 36 plants for home grows (size of plants can vary greatly)
Typically DTF’s finding plants with multiple hazards
Culture of “Card Power”
Impacts ALL government professionals?
Defiant attitudes and socializing children in the lifestyle

17. Scope of the Issue Continued
July 1, 2011
Regulatory Scheme
Licensing Process for Centers
Optional “Premise” license
Can grow in various facilities-hard to regulate numbers
Edible Product Licensing
No FDA oversight
No THC level restrictions
No Dosing Formulas

18. Scope of the Issue Continued
Marijuana Centers and Supply Source
Supply that comes from home grows, never legal or allowed to be a supply source—back to the 6 plants, 2 oz standard.
Centers allowed to have 30% of volume from another center. Difficult to track where the supply comes from.

19. Scope of the Issue Continued
Unprecedented Model-Casinos
Monitor by Video
Regulatory Body through Division of Revenue
100 Staff Members
Sanctioning Body
Starts July 1
Centers allowed to have 30% of volume from another center. Difficult to track.

20. Edible Product Issues HB 1043 to Senate on Monday
Currently no limits on number of plants
Industry wants to be able to have 6000, trying to put at 500
Another whole area of potential cultivations in communities
Reports of youth bringing edibles to schools in multiple states—hard to ID what they are consuming, accidental exposures.
Taking from those who are allowed to have them.

21. Mandatory Reporters
To have reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected.
To have observed conditions which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect.
COLORADO:
C.R.S
Standard for Reporting:
- To have reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been abused or
neglected.
- To have observed conditions which would reasonably result in abuse or
neglect.
Persons Required to Report:
- Physician or surgeon, inc luding a physician in training;
- Child health associate;
- Medical examiner or coroner;
- Dentist;
- Osteopath;
- Optometrist;
- Chiropractor;
- Chiropodist or podiatrist;
- Registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;
- Hospital personnel engaged in the admission, care, or treatment of patients;
- Christian science practitioner;
- Public or priva te school official or employee;
- Social worker or worker in any facility or agency that is licensed or certified
pursuant to part 1 of article 6 of title 26, C.R.S.;\
- Mental health professional;
- Dental hygienist;
- Psychologist;
- Physical therapist;
- Veterinarian;
- Peace officer as described in section , C.R.S.;
- Pharmacist;
- Commercial film and photographic print processor as provided in subsection
(2.5) of this section;
- Firefighter as defined in section (1), C.R.S.;
- Victim's advocate, as defined in section (1) (k) (II), C.R.S.;
- Licensed professional counselors;
- Licensed marriage and family therapists;
- Unlicensed psychotherapists;
- Clergy member.

22. Drug Distribution
Drug dealing is a very dangerous situation. All illicit drugs are highly profitable and therefore elements of organized crime are involved with every transaction.

23. Drug Distribution
The global drug trade exacts a terrible toll on the American people, threatening their families, their finances, and their freedoms.
- The Office of National Drug Control Policy
Source: ONDCP N A T I O N A L D R U G C O N T R O L S T R A T E G Y 2 3
Disrupting the Market for Illegal Drugs

24. Children become victims of the illicit drug trade in many ways.
Drug Distribution
Children become victims of the illicit drug trade in many ways.

25. Marijuana Distribution
Example: Nov. 2009
Leo Cisneros
Denver, Colorado
10-year-old daughter, Auralia, was shot and killed during a drug-related home invasion
Cisneros admitted he was selling marijuana from the family's home.
Cisneros had one pound of marijuana at the time of the shooting.
Denver, Colorado – NOV 2009: DENVER - Leo Cisneros was convicted a felony drug charge and a judge sentenced him to 15 years in prison. Cisneros was acquitted in September of a more serious charge of child abuse resulting in death. But he was found guilty of a felony drug charge. His 10-year-old daughter, Auralia, was shot and killed on Nov. 26, 2007 as her father exchanged shots with intruders at their door. Cisneros admitted he was selling marijuana from the family's home.
Judge Robbins said he took into account that Cisneros' drug dealing drew dangerous people closer to children living in his neighborhood. The case was closely watched by legal observers because of the unconventional prosecution. The Denver District Attorney's office chose to prosecute Cisneros at trial while offering the robbers plea deals on second-degree murder charges. The three robbers, Joshua Rojas, Trivi Trujillo and Juvencio Hernandez, received sentences between 16 and 26 years in prison. Cisneros had one pound of marijuana at the time of the shooting.
Source: 9 News

26. Risks of Marijuana Cultivations
Research in Process
Electricity
Mold/Fungus
Chemicals
Air Quality-Co2
Ingestion/Edibles
Hash Oil Labs

27. On-going Research Dr. John Martyny
Partnership with NJH and CDIA supported by Byrne JAG funding
Preliminary, Unpublished results
Concerning strains of molds spores in each site
THC levels located throughout the sites
Sticky resin –contamination potential
Tracked, Manicuring Process, perhaps Air?
STILL UNDER EXAMINATION

28. Cultivation

29. Cultivation Hazards Marijuana Grow Operations Homes or outbuildings
Residential, rural or city
Commercial/industrial areas
Outwardly they are very often maintained in their normal fashion
Interiors may have received significant structural, electrical and heating system modifications not in accordance applicable building, natural gas and electrical codes-no code system for grows.
Marijuana Grow Operations will appear in homes or outbuildings in both residential, rural or commercial/industrial areas. Often larger homes or buildings are selected, as they will support a larger growing capacity. Outwardly they are very often maintained in their normal fashion, however the interiors may have received significant structural, electrical and heating system modifications not in accordance applicable building, natural gas and electrical codes.
Examples of these modifications may include: an overloaded existing electrical system or a bypass circuit to avoid paying for the electricity required to power the high intensity light bulbs and fans; disconnected furnace venting; or holes in floors and walls for increased airflow.
These changes are made to replicate warm, humid climates in which hybrid plants flourish to produce high potency marihuana. Former Marijuana Grow Operations may not be safe for human occupancy due to their compromised structural and mechanical integrity, as well as hazards from mould and chemical residue. 
Source: Niagara Regional Police Service - Canada

30. Cultivation Hazards Poisonous Fumes Fires Electrocution Violence
Marijuana Grow Operations
Poisonous Fumes
Fires
Electrocution
Violence
Increased Crime
Booby traps
Higher Utility Costs
Structural Damage
Environmental Damage
Marijuana Grow Operations pose a number of potential risks and dangers to the neighborhoods, in which they exist, including:
POISONOUS FUMES – These may result from alterations made to the chimney venting of furnaces and hot water heaters, from chemicals used in the growing process, or from moulds that flourish in these warm moist environments.
FIRES – Overloaded electrical systems, improper wiring and the extreme heat generated by high intensity light bulbs increase the potential for fire. A fire in a Marijuana Grow Operation has the potential to spread to neighboring homes and present increased risks to fire fighters.
ELECTROCUTION – Improper wiring pose risks to the occupants and visitors to the Marijuana Grow Operations. Electrical bypasses are done to facilitate the theft of electricity and they create a potential for electrocution to persons outside the home as the ground near the home may become charged with electricity.
VIOLENCE – Operators of Marijuana Grow Operations often arm themselves with weapons, as they are potential targets of “home invasion” style robberies. This raises the risk for confrontation between the protectors and the invaders, as well as risk to police during a search warrant entry. Residents in neighboring homes may fall victim to a “home invasion”, where the invaders target the wrong home.
INCREASED CRIME – Money to purchase illicit drugs, including marijuana is often derived from some form of criminal activity (theft, fraud, robbery), which poses both a financial risk and a potential risk of physical harm to all members of society.
BOOBY TRAPS - Traps may be set by the operators of Marijuana Grow Operations to protect their product from unauthorized persons entering the home or property. These traps represent a danger to the trespassers and to emergency responders.
HIGHER UTILITY COSTS – The cultivation of marijuana requires large amounts of water and electricity. To reduce costs operators of Marijuana Grow Operations will steal these utilities from or from the utility provider a neighbor. The cost for these thefts is borne the neighbor or by the utility providers, who in turn pass the costs on to all customers in the form of increased billing rates.
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE – Houses used as Marijuana Grow Operations are frequently modified to suit the needs of the growing operation. These modifications may affect the structural integrity of the home, as they do not comply with the Ontario Building Code. High humidity from the grow operation may also cause damage to the structure of the home or may cause excessive mould growth which may impact the health of future occupants.
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE - Chemicals used in the grow operations may discharged onto the surrounding soil or dumped offsite in some other non-environmentally friendly manner.
HAZARDS TO CHILDREN – During investigations police have found children or evidence of children having been present in Marijuana Grow Operations. There are significant long-term health risks for children who live in or visit grow operations. Additionally the end product marijuana supplied to children is viewed by some as a gateway drug to harder drugs such as methamphetamines and cocaine.
Source: Niagara Regional Police Service - Canada

31. Example of Grow Room

32. Hazards Other Related IssuesLabs THC Extraction
Butane and Plant Particles
Fumes
Explosions

33. Recognize the Warning Signs
Children Present
Evidence of Children
Living Conditions
Interact with the Children
Documentation
Think “ Am I a Mandatory Reporter”?

34. Provide a Case Example What would be your course of action?
What would be your expectation of the other services?
Is that working?
How can we improve our responses to situations like this for children and their future?

35. Benefits vs. Harm Dr. Christian Thurstone Denver Health Physician
Presentation on
Saturday April 23rd, 2011
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36. The Colorado Alliance for Drug Endangered Children
Nicola Erb-Presenter
RLEMI and RMHIDTA
Jade Thomas-Sponsor and Contact
Executive Director
office
cell