Persons who deal with drugs and child abuse, ranging from social work to law and order, are gathering today for the Fifth Annual Wisconsin Drug Endangered Children Conference beginning in Wausau. The Wisconsin Alliance for Drug Endangered Children says in homes where drugs are used, the kids are at-risk of physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect. There is also a higher risk of injury and premature death.
A federal DEC program coordinator in Wisconsin says although methamphetamine is a major problem in domestic issues, the child abuse issue is mirrored with other substances including cocaine, prescription pills and alcohol. Andrea LeStarge, who works out of the US Attorney’s office of Western Wisconsin, says heroin and prescription pills use are “popular” in Wisconsin with some parents pulling their kids out of school to go “doctor shopping” across the state to obtain pharmaceuticals.
The main goal of the conference is educating officials at the local level as to what resources available to them says LeStarge.
Among the speakers at the two day event include Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen and Denise Brazzell, a survivor of childhood abuse.