Spokane County Collaborative Community Response to Drug Endangered Children
Drug Endangered Children 2007 Guidelines

The purpose of the Spokane County Collaborative Community Response to Drug Endangered Children Project is to implement and evaluate a collaborative response among law enforcement, prosecutorial, medical, social service, prevention and education professionals to the needs of children endangered by exposure to substance abuse and manufacturing, trafficking, and use of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, throughout Spokane County.

Download DEC 2007 Guidelines (PDF 240KB)

Washington's Endangered Children's Assessment and Reponse
We Care
Recommended Best Practices Addressing the Needs of Drug Endangered Children

Clandestine drug labs are a significant problem in Washington State. Department of Ecology responded to approximately 350 drug lab incidents in 1998 compared to nearly 1500 in 2003. Currently, Washington ranks sixth in the United States in the number of illegal methamphetamine labs identified by law enforcement. Since a considerable number of illegal labs operate within residental homes, children living in these residences are at particular risk. In response to this problem, the Governor's Methamphetamine Coordinating Committee appointed a Drug Endangered Children's (DEC) subcomittee to examine existing national and local DEC programs, research pertinent legal issues and identify best practices that address the children's needs. The subcommittee's work resulted in the development of the We Care Plan.

Download We Care Plan (PDF 250KB)

Governor's Council on Substance Abuse
Survey of Policies & Procedures for Drug-Endangered Children in Washingon State

This study of local procedures for handling drug-endangered children was conducted during 2005 and 2006 at the request of the Governor's Council on Substance Abuse (Council). The Council wanted an improved understanding of how communities in Washington State are coping with the need to provide substance abuse intervention that addresses the needs of drug-endangered children (DEC). This report is the result of that request.

Download Survey (PDF 2.33MB)