When is drug use child abuse?

When is drug use child abuse?

Posted by

Sherri Ellington

in Opinion

Tuesday, March 3. 2009

Comments (21)

When methamphetamine use destroys families, the Department of Family and Children Services has to pick up the pieces.

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#1 Amanda on 03/03/09 at 01:40 PM

DFACS may try to come off as the good guys. But I know from having them destroy my life and the lives of two little boys nearly 5 years ago that they never stick by policy, they DO investigate without a real reason, and they will pull children from homes that are simply just trying to make it in this life. DFCAS destroys families and breaks hearts beyond repair. And they took the two things that mattered most to me. Funny, how I was deemed unfit to care for those two, because they already were in a home that wished to adopt them, but I was fit to take care of their younger siblings? DFACS, how can you say that a parent is unfit and fit at the same time? When will you own up to the lies you have spread, the families you have destroyed and the threats you have made against people in order to get them to cooperate with your evil plans. This article is nothing more than a way for DFACS to seem like the good guys when in fact they are the worst organization to ever exist. They kill more babies than they save (Shavon Miles, Kelsey Briggs, Summer Phelps and MANY MANY more). Don't sugar coat your evil plans DFACS. We aren't buying it anymore. If you want to really help families, stop taking our children on bogus charges that would never hold water in a real court, and if a parent REALLY needs help, get the community involved. After all the children are all of our future. So why aren't we all taking action and helping the parents that aren't abusing their children intentionally. They have just fallen prey to something that they cannot break free of alone. And when you take the only thing that some parents care about, you not only destroy their worlds forever, you take a way their very reason to try anymore.

#2 Anonymous on 03/03/09 at 08:55 PM

Sounds like Amanda admits to falling prey to something she cannot break free of alone. Could this be drugs? Probably. Good luck girl and take care of your kids so they won't take them away from you.

#2.1 Anonymous on 03/04/09 at 06:52 PM

I know Amanda, and she is 100% correct and her case was NOT drug ralated at all!

The dfcs in the area is full of corrupt workers who care NOTHING about the children they are supposed to be protecting. They know it, and families all in the area darn well know it too.

#3 Amy on 03/04/09 at 08:40 AM

"And when you take the only thing that some parents care about, you not only destroy their worlds forever, you take a way their very reason to try anymore." It's not a child's responsibility to be the reason a parent does or does not kick a drug addiction. I don't think a child should be left in the care of drug addicts because taking them away might discourage the parents from ever getting clean. The children's needs come first, the drug addicted parents wants and needs come later. I couldn't see that either when drugs ruled my life, but I see it very clearly now. I am a mother and a recovering methamphetamine addict so I can speak from experience about this one drug.

I'd like to encourage the people of Georgia to follow to people of South Dakota and New Mexico in taking action and making "hard" drug use, including meth, a crime of child abuse so that DFACS can step in BEFORE something terrible happens to these children. Children living with meth addicted parents are most often living in very dangerous, unstable enviroments. They face a substantial risk of nelgect, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Even if they are never outright physically or sexually abused the emotional trauma from the neglect and witnessing the violent and psychotic episodes is heartbreaking.

Yes, like the story said, babies and small children are the most vunerable and in the most immediate danger - from being starved to death, left alone neglected for days while someone comes down off the dope, or when a parent loses it because they simply can't take the crying anymore. Those cases should remain top priority.

However, even teenagers can't "fend for themselves" against the monsters this drug creates. Teenagers need food, heat, love, and a safe living environment also. Meth addicts can become very dangerous without a moments notice. The story said that caseworks take law enforcement with them when they go to a meth home because of the mental issues. If it is so dangerous, why do they think a teenager would be able to "fend for themselves" living day in and day out in that environment? It's simple - they can't. Also, teenagers left with drug abusing parents stand a VERY high chance of becoming drug addicts themselves if someone doesn't step in to help break the cycle.

Drug addicts can not see what they are doing to their children. When they are using their minds are too warped. It is up to everyone else to step in and rescue these children. DFACS can not do it alone. They can't change the rules. Please contact your state reprsentatives and push for new laws so that another child doesn't have to wait until something terrible happens to spend a safe peaceful night away from drugs.

#4 Anonymous on 03/04/09 at 01:03 PM

I too had my "meth" days and I thank god and my family everyday that they were there for me and my kids and helped me through it. I was one of the lucky ones and never went to jail or had DFACS called on me. I was able to break free from this "devils dandruff" and get myself clean with out having to go to any kind of rehab or anything. I look back now and think of all the stupid things I did and how at times I put my kids in harms way just to have the high and I hate myself for that. But I also know it was a learning experience for me at the same time. The 2 years that I was a dope head, I lost alot of precious time with my kids and once I got away from the people that got high with me I realized that those 2 years would take me 4 or more to get my kids trust back and let them see that Mommy wasnt doing that stuff anymore. I can only hope that any mother, father, sister, brother, etc... that is going through this right now can someday see the light and get off it and find out that life is so much better without it. My best rehab was to surround myself with good people and that is what got me through, and of course my bestfriend kicking the habit when I did also helped!

#5 Anonymous on 03/04/09 at 07:05 PM

Mr. Geiger, why do you run stories like this and hide the truth about the area DFCS? You know that agency is full of corruption, you were sent the papers. Why do you ignore the truth?

#5.1 i'm just sayin... on 03/05/09 at 12:41 PM

um, just because YOUR DFCS is corrupted does not mean all of them are. Drug abuse can turn into child abuse in a very BIG way. And unless you plan to deal with all of those situations yourself, then you better be thankful there is an agency to do it. If you really think they are corrupt, then call the main DFCS office to file a complaint. srsly.

#6 Anonymous on 03/05/09 at 02:28 PM

Been there, done that, and I am referring to Lamar County DFCS thank you very much. And I dealt with my own situation, but just because the few bad apples concerning my case were dealt with does not mean I need to worry about the whole barrel full of rot. It doesn't concern me any longer, but that doesn't mean that the whole slew of them is not rotten to the very core. Even if they are not guilty of corruption themselves, if they work there and turn a blind eye to the corrupt actions of their co-workers (and bosses) they are just as rotten. I don't care who they are. If someone is in a position to do something to prevent wrongs, and if that person does nothing, they are just as rotten....caseworkers, cops, reporters, it doesn't matter.

#7 Anonymous on 03/05/09 at 03:19 PM

they are there for a reason. Deal with it. If DFACS is called on you and they enter your home and keep you under watch for 3 months and find nothing wrong then they know that someone is just messing with you or mad with you.

But when they come in your home and a 3 month old is laying on its back, food and trash all in the carpet, molded milk in the cereal bowls, beer everywhere (half full/empty), you cant pass a pee test, wearing old clothes that need to be washed because you rather spend money on yourself or other things rather than the lightbill etc. Yea they need to step in and take the children until you straighten up your act.

I may be wrong but i think i know Amanda too. If it is who im thinking of then............

Anyway, be clean and sanitary for the childrens sake even if you are a nasty person and dont want anything in life. The children are caught in the middle of nastiness and they cant help it.

#7.1 Anonymous on 03/06/09 at 08:33 AM

You haven't got a clue, your head is in the sand like so many others in the area.

#8 Anonymous on 03/06/09 at 10:35 AM

Griffin daily news is reporting meth bust in B'ville on Rogers Circle? Any news on this?

#9 Anonymous on 03/07/09 at 07:41 AM

Here is how we get back at the evil DFACS. Real simple, become a Foster Parent. Then you can save the children and babies from the evil case workers. As the Foster Parent and guardian you will have the power to defend this child,set the case worker straight, you will also have the chance to explain to the child what is going on. You can explain how our government used law first meant to protect animals (look it up, we had laws protecting animals before laws protect children). You might even get cases other than drug related, think about the questions a child might ask. You can explain how DFACS is an agency that has to do what the courts ask them to. How long should DFACS allow a child to go without food? (ask a foster parent about how much weight babies gain in care). How long should DFACS allow someone to rape a child while the one's who should be protected them do nothing?

It's real big news and everyone wants to blame DFACS when a child is not protected, but then no one wants to really help

#9.1 Anonymous on 03/07/09 at 03:42 PM

Did you ever think that sometimes the "Foster" parents are more abusive than the parents. It's all about the money and funding, not the welfare of the children.

#10 Anonymous on 03/09/09 at 04:56 PM

Have you noticed there are more DFCS signs in yards than Yard sale signs? Either the Judge needs a new job, or this community needs to stand up and take better care of their future........

#10.1 Anonymous on 03/10/09 at 04:28 PM

I don't believe that it's the Judge putting up the signs.

#11 Kathy SEGA MAMa on 03/13/09 at 01:07 PM

I know the horror of methamphetamine addiction! THERE IS HOPE. RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE. If you are an addict or you love someone addicted you can contact me at 770-229-4020. I can provide recovery information. Also several people in recovery have made comments on this article. I would love for you to contact me as well. I am looking for soldiers that are in recovery to spread the word with me. I am also looking for anyone that has been affected by drugs that needs a positive way to face the issue to contact me.

#11.1 Amy on 03/14/09 at 12:32 PM

I saw from your name that you are part of Mothers Against Meth. They are a great organization. Everyone should read Dr. Holley's book. She also encourages folks to call CPS/DFACS when someone suspects parents of using meth. Unfortunatly, too many times, authorities hands are tied unless there is current abuse taking place because of current laws. Until we change the laws kids just have to sit and suffer until something terrible happens or until parents hopefully sober up or end up in prison.

#11.2 Kathy SEGA MAMa on 03/16/09 at 10:41 PM

I am not about calling authorities I am about HOPE FOR RECOVERY for the addict and family. I can share first hand information as a recovering addict and mother of a recovering addict. Yes Dr. Holley has several great books and videos. I find Power Over Addiction for the addict very powerful and will share that with anyone interested. I have multiple copies available and more on order.

#12 Anonymous on 03/28/09 at 01:27 PM

Bottom line. If defacs gets a call on you and they find nothing and you are up to par on everything. they will leave you alone after 2 or 3 months. PERIOD

if you are nasty and have a nasty living place and cant fend for yourself. Sure they are gonna have the scope on you.

7.1
what do you mean i have my head in the sand. It is what it is. If you are nasty and unsanitary for raising a child you should be pounded on. WHY NOT/ you're nasty.
If someone called in on you just cause they dont like you then Dfacs will see that and move on to more serious cases. You cant prove me otherwise.

#13 tracey on 05/10/09 at 08:10 AM

child abuse in any form should be reported to law enforcement and should be for THEM to decide whether or not a need to remove a child from the home exists. It should be brought before the courts the same as any other investigation. DFCS is not and never has been law enforcement so what gives them the right to come into your home and take your children? they lie to get a judge to issue a court order for emergency removal when the only emergency is that they weren't allowed to ilegally search the home and they didn't get to ask any questions because we have the right to remain silent. PEOPLE DO NOT ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS WHEN THEY KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR, U HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS THAT DFCS VIOLATES EVERYDAY, LOOK UP FIGHTCPS.COM you will be astounded. And yes, i have and am dealing with dfcs right now, when they came knocking on my door with an anonymous tip from whoever i told them i had no intentions of answering their questions without an attorney and no they could not have a look around my house without a warrant. i even called a deputy to my house. they told the deputy "if she doesn't come talk to us we'll just get a court order and take her kids away". Guess what? that's coercion folks. plain and simple. look it up. my lawyer said it was plain and simple. now dfcs is gonna answer for taking my children. they violated nearly every civil right i have. if anybody, ANYBODY wants to argue with anything i just said, bring it on!! I am right and it is a fact. Look it up, do your research, dfacs is a completely USELESS agency. useless.

#14 defacs judges coverups and intimidation on 05/30/09 at 12:43 AM

I have had recent experience with the corruption of dfacs in our area and my son was taken in court... Before my drug test!! These people are corrupt and often use lies to take custody of our children! MORE TIMES THAN NOT THE LIES ARE MADE BY PERSONS ON A PERSONAL MISSION TO DESTROY LIVES,unfit PEOPLE who AREN'T ALLOWED VISITATION WITH THEIR OWN GRAND KIDS! Until you have been in my shoes maybe you won't ever see it and chose to acknowledge it even happens. When a clerk of court is guilty of perjury,forgery and using a notary seal on forged papers she is herself guilty of a crime and should be dealt with accordingly! When she is allowed to sit beside the judge in a juvenile case and shake her head when SHE THINKS someone is lying but is herself the reason behind the reason she should lose her job and the child should be returned until deprivation is more than just hearsay. You can sit here all day and say that a judge can't be swayed or use intimidation to keep the guilty from going unpunished but that is just not true. When dfacs lies and people show up in court to testify against you that have no knowledge of any wrong doing but tell lies and make false accusations, someone has spoken to someone about your case before it entered the courtroom which is a big no no!! If you think that judges won't make decisions against you when someone they work around every day is guilty of a crime to cover it up you are my friend... WRONG! If a parent is guilty of using drugs, as Ms Barkley stated in her own words it doesn't mean a childis deprived. They should have to show deprivation based on more than a failed drug test after a child has already been placed in the custody of the state. I have many friends who know that my child has changed my life and that I was a great parent and that my child was not deprived of anything! However based on false allegations to dfacs that they cannot prove other than a failed drug test after the fact..my child was removed from a loving home where he was more than well cared for.. In my opinion the judges decision was based on lies and her attempt to cover up for the clerk who sits by her side. Perhaps intimidation to pursuade me to forget seeking justice for a forged document that I could not bring up in court but was the only subject the judge wanted to discuss when the father took the stand as it was his name that was forged and notarized by HER CLERK!! DOES COVERUP HAPPEN WHEN A JUDGES FRIEND AND LONG TIME EMPLOYEES ETHICS ARE QUESTIONED and she has purjured herself... YOU BET YOUR HAT, A_ _and BOOTS THEY ARE!! I WONT STOP UNTIL MY SON IS RETURNED FIGHTING TO PROVE JUSTICE DOES NOT ALWAYS PREVAIL AND JUDGES DO OVERLOOK ALL OF THE FACTS WHEN THEIR BUDDY IS IN QUESTION!!! I will be filing a lawsuit against Lamar County for the actions of THEIR CLERK and since dfacs has immunity in their lies against our family I plan to sue for enough to make up for their stupidity also. The forged document wasn't allowed to be talked about in my case with defacs because it was irrelevant but yet dfacs sat in on the hearing of the forgery case so apparently is wasn't too danged irrelevant!! Clerks in charge of the records of our community are liars and guilty of perjury and forgery what makes you think dfacs isn't sometimes guilty of such? I will fight for my child and there will be proof that dfacs and judges break the law. There will also be forthcoming charges on a clerk of court and a lawsuit against Lamar county..

tracey... Please contact me at ddiamonddoll66@bellsouth.net so that we can talk. My lawyer might wish to contact your attorney as well. We CAN FIGHT THIS SYSTEM TOGETHER ALOT BETTER THAN WE CAN FIGHT THEM ALONE.

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