Prosecuting Attorneys Institute > Programs and Departments > Drug Endangered Children

Drug Endangered Children 

Drug endangered children (DEC) are those children who suffer physical or psychological harm or neglect resulting from exposure to an environment where adults are manufacturing, selling, or using drugs.

These harms may include: injury from explosion, fire or exposure to toxic chemicals found at clandestine lab sites; physical abuse; sexual abuse; medical neglect and; lack of basic care including failure to provide meals, sanitary and safe living conditions or schooling.

Drug endangered children are part of a very large population of children whose lives have been seriously and negatively impacted by dangerous drugs.