By Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com Reporter
MOUNT VERNON — County officials got a glimpse Thursday of how the county’s increasing drug problem affects children, and the picture is disturbing. Twins born addicted to drugs, children with lice and spiders in their ear and a 2-year-old left alone at home are but a few examples Probate/Juvenile Judge Jennifer Springer cited.
“Tomorrow [Friday] I am meeting with Columbus officials to see about getting a family court docket started to help families with their issues because we are seeing such an issue with drugs and problems with that,” she said Thursday morning at the monthly elected officials meeting. “Parents are just walking away from their responsibilities. … My docket is full with neglect and abuse cases.”
Springer said that a lack of foster families to take in the children compounds the problem. “We’re running out of things to do. It’s heartbreaking,” she said, adding that she tries to promote responsibility for parenting. “I will not allow parents to walk away from their responsibilities.”
Additionally, although children born to drug-addicted mothers can become clean with treatment, they have life-long learning disabilities with which they have to cope. These children need placement in a therapeutic foster home rather than a regular foster home, which makes placement even more difficult.
County Prosecutor Chip McConville said his office is busy as well with drug-related and other criminal offenses, noting at least three criminal trials and two grand juries are scheduled. “I anticipate to indict 30-some cases this month. It just is not letting up,” he said. He requested patience from those involved in civil cases.
Sheriff David Shaffer said he expects to have a new drug treatment option for inmates in place by Oct. 3. Modeled off of Licking County’s program, he anticipates completing the final details in the next couple of weeks.
He and McConville agreed meth is now much more prevalent than heroin, and that much of it is coming from Mexico. “We see two to three times as many meth cases compared to heroin,” said Shaffer, adding that users turn to meth because it is different, not necessarily because it is cheaper. He did say there has been a decline in finding meth labs but noted meth users are more paranoid and violent than heroin users.
McConville said that the Mexican cartels are so good with distribution, it doesn’t matter what the substance is. “The street people are telling me they’re getting on meth to get off of heroin,” he said.
Springer said the mental health court should be certified by the Ohio Supreme Court Friday.