Children and incapacitated adults in or around methampetamine laboratories are exposed to dangerous and toxic chemicals.  These individuals often are victims of abuse or neglect by a parent or guardian who is using or involved with the production of meth.

Health risks to children and incapcitated adults:

Young children are at the greatest risk because they are more likely to engage in activities that put them harms way.  They often engage in innocent but risky behavior such as crawling or coming in contact the contaminated surfaces, placing objects in their mouths and ingesting harmful chemicals and substances.   Some of the short-term and long-term physical and psychological affects include:

• damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, eyes and skin
• the development/withdrawal of addiction
• developmental delays and 
• emotional problems from neglect

Protection for children & incapacitated adults

Growing concern about the development of clandestine drug labs and use of methamphetamine in New Hampshire has warranted a review of all Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) program areas that are charged with protecting children and incapacitated adults, to identify the potential impact the production and use of methamphetamine could have on its clients, staff, providers, and the general public.  DHHS staff provides direct services at 12 District Offices and purchases services from a variety of public and private community-based human service and health care providers. 

Recent laws enacted in NH make exposure of children and or incapacitated adults to a meth labs a felony with very tough penalties.

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