By Stephanie Sanchez / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 03/08/2008 07:59:21 AM MST

Fewer El Paso children are being exposed to drugs and alcohol compared to larger Texas cities, state health officials said.

In 2007, slightly more than 1,000 children under the age of 19 were reported to be living with at least one person who uses alcohol, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and/or other drugs in El Paso and five surrounding counties, according to Texas Department of State Health Services.

"As of now we don't see it as a big problem in El Paso," said Susan Hernandez-Hunt, Texas A&M University Prevention Resources Center Region 10 program coordinator. "There have been some cases, but not in comparison to Dallas or East Texas."

The same state health data, released in El Paso earlier this week, showed that almost 8,000 children in Dallas, including 18 surrounding counties, and a little more than 6,000 children in Houston, including 11 surrounding counties, were reported to have been in the same situation.

Although there are fluctuations in the number of drug and alcohol exposed children throughout different regions, the Texas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children has been working to ensure these children are taken out of their homes and provided long-term treatment. The alliance, which started in 2004, spoke to about 300 people in El Paso on Thursday about issues these children face and the importance of maintaining communication between law enforcement, child protective services and other child advocate agencies.

Hernandez-Hunt said the lower number of children affected is attributed to the smaller population in the region, compared to the larger populations in the Dallas and Houston regions.

But the Texas A&M University Prevention Resources Center, an agency dedicated to educating families about the dangers of using drugs, alcohol and tobacco, still wants to target those children that are experiencing these life styles, she said.

The center worked to bring the alliance conference to El Paso, she said.

"We want to educate everybody to make sure that everybody is working together as a team. If we don't educate then we are going to continue on that same path and we are going to miss the grey area where these kids are going to continue to be injured," said Vanessa Sanford, a Dallas Children's Advocacy Center therapist. "The other thing is, we want these kids in prevention so they don't end up as offenders like their parents. If they have that intervention then they can get help and become productive citizens."

Children of addicted parents are at the highest risk of becoming alcohol and drug users because of genetic and environmental factors, said Sanford during her presentation.

Other risks children face include unsanitary homes, poor nutrition and hygiene, medical conditions, abuse and neglect.

"There are a lot of children that are in these environments, and the people that interact with them on any given day are not recognizing the signs," said Sgt. Courtney Pero, of Plano Police Department. "We are also trying to extend out the message their are literally dozens of different disciplines throughout the state from law enforcement, to CPS, prosecutors, treatment providers, substance abuse specialists, foster parents -- I really is a far reaching problem. Not only a far reaching problem that affects so many different disciplines, but also there are so many different disciplines that are able to have an impact to help address the problem."

When investigating a drug user home, he said law enforcement protocol calls for investigating how the child has been endangered by the substance and calling child protective services. CPS then takes over the child, arranges have the child cleaned up, and ensured medical attention is provided, he said.

Rio Grande Safe Communities Coalition director Mary Ellen H. Hernandez, who was at the alliance event on Thursday, said she wanted to see how the community can come together for the safety of local children.

Hernandez said her organziation, which is a division of Thomason Hospital Trauma, is doing their part by targeting underage drinking.

"We need to keep continuing the education," she said.

Stephanie Sanchez may be reached at ssanchez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6137.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_8502999

Emphasis added by H4K Editor