What Is The Drug Culture/And Where Is It

In the last few years, I have been working with DYFS. It appears that there is
an epidemic and mainly with marijuana. The DYFS organization is handling
Child Protection (DCF). What happens is DYFS investigation comes across
a mother who appears to be using drugs of some kind. DYFS makes the
referral to the court and then a (CADC) Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.
At this point a referral is generated and the mother or the father is referred
For an assessment.
The assessment is mainly for alcohol and drug use and what if any is the
extent of the using of these substances. The larger part of the referrals
appear to be marijuana users although there are some crack smokers,
heroin users, ectasy users and alcohol but marijuana is the prominent drug
at this time. It appears that the clients cannot stop using because some of
them give birth to children that are tested and the test comes back positive
for marijuana. or whatever other drugs is in the system. The using of a
drug puts the children at risk. The risk takes on many dimensions from
neglect, abuse and possible addiction. The Division does not always
frown on the use of methadone at least this is a way of detoxing and
the child will not test positive for any other lethal drug. This new thing
with marijuana is pcp or what is called in the street “wet”. Sometimes
embalming fluid is used and the marijuana cigarette is dipped into which
brings for the name “dip”. This is a very dangerous concoction to say the
least. The possiblilty of the child being harmed is a real and imminent
danger.

Now that the referral has been made. An appointment has to scheduled
to see this individual and hopefully in the next week if at all possible. So
let’s say that the client comes in for the assessment and there are many
times when the client does not even show up. This gives cause to the
court and caseworkers to make an application to remove the child from
the home.

So the client comes in for the assessment. The client be it a man or awoman
has to submit to a urine screen which will determine whether or not there
is drugs or alcohol in the system of that person. In most cases the client
is in denial. And I mean denies using any drugs or alcohol. The urine
screen comes back positive for whatever is in the individuals urine.

The next step after it has been determined that this person is using
a drug or drinking alcohol is to decide together whether or not this person
is willing to go to treatment for this problem. If the client is still in denial that
there is a problem, they straight out refuse to go to treatment. Then as I have
said, the case will go back to the court. If the client is willing to go to
treatment. Then an appropriate treatment facility has to be found that will
accommodate this persons drug problem and possibly their living problems
and there are many from homelessness to just baby-sitting for the children.
There are many places that will accommodate and facilitate the problems
and manage the treatment for drug abuse. It is a matter of the client being
willing to go and follow through with the approved treatment and then there
is the issue of transportation. We do provide transportation for the clients.

The good things that happen is the client goes to treatment, the court does
not remove the children. In a best case scenario and I have had some
successful outcomes. The client came back and thanks me for the help that
I gave to facilitate the cessation of drug use. On the other hand there are
clients that after a referral is made, they do not attend and participate in the
treatment in some cases they fall through the cracks and end up coming
back around for another assessment and referral. In the worst case
scenario, the client does not participate in treatment but continues to use
drugs. The caseworker takes the client back to court and the children are
removed in what is called a (DOOD).

The substance abuse counselor does not participate in the removal of
the children. The only obligation that the counselor is to do the assessment
and make a referral if necessary.

This is a short version of what happens to parents who use drugs and
particularly marijuana. This is an ongoing case scenario. It appears that
There exists a drug culture in the urban neighborhoods. There is also the
same culture in the surburbs. What can be done?