Today's Austin American Statesman has a very depressing article that describes the rapidly increasing problem of children being removed from their homes due to parent/caretaker use of crystal methamphetamine.
The Texas Legislature passed several bills in an effort to address this rapidly increasing problem. House Bill 164, which became effective on August 1, 2005, allows for the removal of a child from his or her parent where the parent has permitted the child to remain on premises used for the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Senate Bill 6 requires the Department of Family and Protective Services to establish a drug-endangered child initiative aimed at protecting children who are exposed to methamphetamine or to chemicals and other hazardous materials used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine.
Senate Bill 66 requires the Department of State Health Services to create programs to limit the sale of the component chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine and to create educational programs for educators and parents.
There have been many articles on the crystal meth epidemic in this country. One of the most chilling is a New York Times Magazine article on one father's discovery of his son's meth addiction.
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