Tuesday, June 4, 2019

ISP and CASA unite to Reduce Drug-Exposed Children

IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE - generated by our News Release ListServer
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IDAHO STATE POLICE NEWS RELEASE
District 1 Patrol 615 West Wilbur Ave. Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815
(208) 209-8620
Fax (208) 209-8619

For Immediate Release:


ISP & CASA Unite to Reduce Drug-Exposed Children

The Idaho State Police (ISP) is part of a nationwide initiative known as Domestic Highway Enforcement (DHE) that focuses on criminal interdiction-looking for drugs, stolen vehicles, people with warrants and other criminal activity. The country, including North Idaho, is inundated with methamphetamines and opioids such as heroin and fentanyl, both powerful and highly addictive drugs.

"Illicit drugs come from Mexico via the interstate corridors and find their way onto the streets of North Idaho," states Captain John Kempf, ISP?s First District Commander. "ISP?s task is to interdict the drugs before they are sold within our community."

The DHE Task Force seizures of heroin is up 2000% since 2017 and is up 350% for methamphetamine.

One of the most staggering community effects of this drug epidemic is the impact on local children. Last year, the First District Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program served 20% more child drug-exposed child victims than the prior year.

To draw attention to the impact of drug exposure on children and raise funds for the CASA program?s court advocacy work for these child victims, the organizations are partnering on a ?5K Foot Pursuit? fundraising run this Saturday at McEuen Park.

The majority of the 490 child protection cases CASA served in 2018 involve illicit drug use by at least one parent.

"These children suffer greatly," explains KJ Brant, CEO of First District CASA. "They may live in homes that are full of filth or don?t have running water or enough food. They often have parents that are high or even unconscious for long periods of time. They often are surrounded by drugs and drug paraphernalia within their reach. They may witness domestic violence or be assaulted themselves. They often struggle attending school."

Of the thousands of drug-exposed children in our community, the only ones who come under the care of cps are those who have been rescued from abuse, neglect or violence from law enforcement or IDHW. Their dangerous living situations are discovered through either the reporting of a concerned citizen or family member or through traffic stops. More than half of the children CASA serves are sheltered by law enforcement.

Such was the case with Baby J. On December 11, 2018, ISP performed a traffic stop near Kellogg, Idaho on two adults with two children. The driver of the vehicle had a warrant, a gun and 1-ounce of methamphetamine. As the investigation continued, the ISP Trooper became aware that one of the children in the vehicle appeared sick or injured. The officer called emergency services who transported the child to the emergency room. It turned out the child, now known as Baby J, had been severely beaten and was suffering from malnutrition and a brain injury. Baby J has undergone months of rehabilitation and now lives in foster care with the sibling.

Children such as Baby J are guided through the child protection system by a network of professionals from CASA, the courts, IDHW, prosecutor's and public defender's office, law enforcement, and medical and mental health providers. Even though these children may now reside in safe homes with safe caregivers, their journey from victimization to healing has only begun, explains Ms. Brant. "They still experience the intrusive memories of events to which they were exposed. They may be physically unhealthy or suffer from their own mental health issues. They may have to visit the parent(s) who hurt them or not have enough time or visits with parents they miss. They often must repeatedly tell their story; testifying in court or even testifying against their parent. They continue to feel stressed and lonely and may be living in a home with people unfamiliar to them. They can suffer from depression and anxiety or may act out in ways that result in juvenile delinquency involvement and their own court case."

The goal of everyone involved is to have these children reside with responsible adults in safe, loving homes and break the cycle of drug use and resulting child abuse.

The ISP 5K Foot Pursuit is an event to highlight the partnership between CASA and law enforcement.

"The event will educate our community on the State?s Police efforts to interdict drugs coming into North Idaho," states Captain Kempf, "while promoting CASA's work to advocate for the children who suffer from the effects of drug use in their families."

The event?s goal is to raise funds to support the CASA program?s work to advocate for these drug exposed children.

The ISP 5K Foot Pursuit is Saturday, June 8th. Registration ranges from $20 to $30 and is open on-line at NorthIdahoCASA.org/events. Check-in opens at 8:30 am at McEuen Park. Shot Gun start at 9:00am for the Hot Pursuit category. Winners of this category will receive medals if they are able to run faster than the Troopers. 3.1- mile Fun Run begins at 9:10am and the Family Walk will have a rolling start beginning at 9:20am with a loop around the park. Silverwood is the Event Sponsor, with Banner Bank sponsoring hydration cups and oversized yard games. ICCU will be at the finish line with games and prizes. Anchored Coffee will host refreshments and Las Brasas Taco Truck will be on-site. More information can be found on FB or on www.northidahocasa.org.

MKS
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