Editorial: Endangered children

Tuesday, April 5, 2005 | 9:15 a.m.

The number of children in Clark County who are not safe in their own homes is growing. In 2003 an average of 296 children a month here were removed from their homes because of neglect or abuse. In 2004 the average jumped to 379 children a month. Susan Klein-Rothschild, director of the Clark County Department of Family Services, says the alarming trend is continuing this year.

Rothschild's department is responding by stepping up its recruitment and training of foster parents -- a lengthy process that involves home inspections, checking references and conducting criminal background checks. This is because Child Haven, the county's home for abused, neglected and abandoned children, is running out of room. "We're continuing to build as many options as possible, as the need is rising so quickly," Rothschild told the Sun.

Much of the problem, according to Metro Police and other officials, has to do with parents becoming addicted to illegal drugs, particularly methamphetamine. Police are working hard to break up meth rings, but what are we doing as a community to treat the addicts, so that they can recover and their children can be safe again? There are a few substance-abuse treatment centers here, but nowhere near enough to meet the need -- and most are private, have long waiting lists and require their clients to be insured.

With the rise in drug abuse, with all of its public impacts, this county should be dotted with publicly subsidized treatment clinics.