Drug endangered children are kids of any age - babies to teenagers - who are placed in harms way because people in their lives who should be acting as caregivers are using, selling or making drugs.

Drug endangered children are not always easy to spot often because the warning signs are not very obvious. This web site is designed to help you identify drug endangered children and situations where drugs may be prevalent. It will also help you plan a course of action should you suspect a child is in immediate danger.


Caregivers who use, sell or make drugs place children in danger. The danger can take many forms, such as:

• Neglect/Abandonment
• Exposure to Drugs/Chemicals
• Physical Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Mental/Emotional Abuse

Neglect/Abandonment

Children who live in homes with drugs are often neglected or abandoned by their caregivers. They may:

• Arrive at school with no coat
• Appear dirty or smell unclean
• Wear torn or dirty clothes
• Lack needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
• Appear extremely hungry or horde food
• Stay late at school or with friends because they don't want to go home
• Become the caregiver either to younger siblings or to parents who can't care for themselves

Exposure and Accidental Poisoning

Children who live in homes with drugs are often exposed to the toxic chemicals used to "cook" the drugs or to the drugs themselves. Physical signs of exposure include:

• Burning and watery eyes
• Blurred vision
• Skin irritation and redness
• Burns on the skin
• Sneezing and coughing
• Difficult breathing, shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Fever
• Yellow jaundice
• Hallucinations
• Extreme irritability

Physical Abuse

Because drug use often leads to violence, children in homes with drugs may be abused by their caregivers. Children who are being physically abused may:

• Have unexplained injuries, broken bones, bruises, burns, open wounds, lacerations, welts, black eyes, or bite marks
• Have grip marks on their arms
• Have unexplained fear
• Be depressed or talk about suicide
• Show sudden changes in behavior
• Have physical signs of being tied up or otherwise restrained
• Deny there is a problem when other warning signs are present
• Have injuries in the shape of an object - belt, cord, iron
• Have injuries that do not fit the story
• Be frightened of parent, caretaker or other adults
• Exhibit anti-social behavior

Sexual Abuse

Drug endangered children may be sexually abused by people using drugs. Children who are being sexually abused may:

• Have unexplained bleeding, wounds, bruising or pain in genital area
• Have unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
• Be in pain when going to the bathroom
• Have difficulty walking or sitting
• Become pregnant
• Touch others in inappropriate sexual ways
• Be afraid of being touched
• Show self-destructive behaviors like cutting themselves or pulling out their hair
• Exhibit regressive behavior
• Have (or show) inappropriate interest in or knowledge of sex acts

Mental/Emotional Abuse

People on drugs may become very verbally abusive and manipulative to those around them. Children who are being mentally and emotionally abused may:

• Be constantly afraid
• Withdraw from situations they used to enjoy
• Have low self-esteem
• Be extremely timid or passive or pushy and hostile
• Be unusually upset or anxious
• Be nervous around certain people
• Make excuses why he/she cannot make phone calls, leave the house or go home
• Be apathetic
• Wet or soil self
• Fail to learn
• Have difficulty making friends

How do I know if there are drugs in a child's home?

There are many signs that people are using, selling or making dangerous drugs. You may have drug related activity in your neighborhood if:

• There are houses or buildings with windows blackened or curtains always drawn
• There are frequent visitors to a home, building or area at all times of the day and night or at odd hours
• Occupants of a home appear underemployed yet have plenty of money or pay bills with cash
• There are chemical odors coming from a house, the garbage, or a detached building
• The garbage contains numerous bottles, containers, stained bed sheets or coffee filters
• You find inhaling or injecting paraphernalia, such as razor blades, straws, heated spoons, or syringes