Substance Abuse
Monday, July 20th, 2009A special subset of child-related domestic investigations deals with ascertaining whether any drug or alcohol abuse is occurring in the home. There are a number of ways investigators can uncover substance abuse such as trash monitoring and surveillance of the subject.
Substance abuse carries unique dangers unlike other cases of child neglect and abuse. Illegal drugs can cause dangerous and violent behavior in individuals who might otherwise not be prone to such actions. The culture of secrecy that builds in the household may be used to hide other activities. Children raised in houses with substance abuse are far more likely to have substance abuse problems in the future.
In these cases, getting help for the parent is as important as ensuring the child is in a safe environment.