A slow, but sure increase in child abuse in some parts of the United States is directly correlated with an increase of drug abuse by their parents, especially synthetic drugs.

In fact, research has demonstrated that children of parents with substance use disorders are more likely to experience abuse (physical, sexual or emotional) or neglect children.  As infants, they may suffer from attachment difficulties that develop because of inconsistent care. As growing children, they may experience chaotic households that lack structure, positive role models, and adequate opportunities for socialization.  In addition, children of parents who use or abuse substances have an increased chance of experiencing a variety of other negative outcomes such as:
•    Maltreated children of parents with substance use disorders are more likely to have poorer physical, intellectual, social and emotional outcomes.
•    They are at greater risk of developing substance use problems themselves.
•    They are more likely to be placed in foster care and to remain there longer than maltreated children of parents without substance use problems.

Synthetic Drugs Major Contributor

The study has found this to be true with all drugs but has put a certain emphasis on synthetic drug use.

These are drugs that have to be chemically altered or created in order to form the correct compound whereas an organic drug is one that is found in nature and doesn’t require any chemical changes to have an effect on the body.  Many plants and fungi have drugs contained within, which are all considered to be organic drugs.  Tetrahydrocannabinol, for instance, the active ingredient in marijuana, is organic. On the other hand, synthetic drugs are man-made drugs made of chemicals.  This group of drugs include things like MDMA (MDMA is an methamphetamine more widely known as “Ecstasy”), acetaminophen (tylenol), sumatriptan (Imatrex), and any number of the huge list of pharmaceuticals.

All drugs can be synthesized, though, so while a synthetic drug is not necessarily found in nature, all natural drugs can indeed be synthesized by man.)

One law official in Upstate New York told the Watertown Daily Times: “It seems we had a lot of problems when synthetic drugs were legal.”  Calls to DSS (Department of Social Services) increased with concerns about parents who were using these synthetic drug products. “It puts them in danger of not being able to take care of their children.”  The official said.

But this is not localized to Upstate New York.  This is a situation across the United States and even across the planet.  A new report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) finds that the abuse of prescription opioids and synthetic drugs are on the rise globally, while worldwide markets for cocaine, heroin and marijuana have declined or remained stable. The “World Drug Report 2011” found the U.S. market for cocaine has experienced massive declines in recent years while synthetics drugs are on the rise.

The reasons for this is because while illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin and marijuana have become too expensive for the users to purchase.  That’s right – the economy has affected illegal street drugs.  So uses, who were heretofore dependent on street drugs can no longer afford them and are turning to synthetic drugs which are a lot cheaper to buy.

Stopping Abuse And Drug Use

Comprehensive efforts to reduce drug use and its consequences have a tremendous impact on making our communities healthier and safer. Confronting the global drug problem – including the prescription drug abuse epidemic – is a shared responsibility that requires a sustained and comprehensive approach. It is not a job for law enforcement alone.

That is why the United States is engaged in an unprecedented effort to emphasize drug prevention and expand access to treatment to supporting enforcement efforts that disrupt drug trafficking. This includes citizens who have a social responsibility to report drug abuse by parents to authorities so it can be effectively handled.

For more information on prevention and education efforts to stop addiction or to see more articles like this one go to Narconon Twitter.

Source:  http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20130122/NEWS07/701229884/