kansasdec.org - Shawnee County

Kansas Alliance for
Drug Endangered Children-Shawnee County

What is a Drug Endangered Child?
A Drug Endangered Child (DEC) is a child who is vulnerable to the consequences of illegal drug use, manufacturing, cultivation and/or distribution. Children whose caretakers fail to safeguard them from these conditions are at risk for physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect including the lack of a nurturing environment, failure to receive meals, living in unsanitary and unsafe environments, poor school attendance and poor or non-existent medical care. Children who live in homes where substances are abused are three times more likely than other children to be physically abused and four times more likely to be neglected.

Drug Endangered Children also includes babies who are exposed to illicit substances during gestation and are born with these substances in their systems. Children living in a home where drugs are manufactured and/or used are also at risk for inhaling or ingesting these substances.

Are there Drug Endangered Children in Shawnee County?
• Approximately 3,852 Shawnee County children live in an environment where substances are abused
• Approximately 288 babies are born substance-exposed every year in Shawnee County
(Estimates based on data from Office of Applied Studies, 2008 Census estimates, 2007 Kansas Live Birth data and Dr. Ira Chasnoff, Children’s Research Triangle)

The Kansas Alliance for DEC-Shawnee County was formed in response to DEC issues. Our vision is that every child in Shawnee County will be born free of substances and live in an environment that is free of substance abuse. The Alliance is made up of representatives from agencies and programs in Shawnee County that are working to establish and carry out a plan to reduce the number of DEC in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Alliance for DEC-Shawnee County is available to make presentations to community groups and organizations. Click here to schedule a presentation.

Shawnee County Protocols

Substance Exposed Newborn Resources

The Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children-Shawnee County has developed a series of tip cards addressing the effects of substances on a pregnant woman and her unborn child. These resources are designed for use by professionals in the medical setting and are available in both English and Spanish. Tip cards are available on the following topics: Alcohol, Cocaine, Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Prescription Drugs and Tobacco. A tip card regarding commonly held misconceptions about substance use during pregnancy is also available. This resource is intended for distribution to community members.

Please click here to order any of the above resource materials. You may also request an electronic file of the tip cards which can then be modified to include local contact information.

For more information about the Shawnee County Alliance for DEC, contact:

United Way Successful Connections
1315 Arrowhead Rd.
Topeka, KS 66604
Phone: (785) 272-0878