Children of meth

Debbie Bryce . dbryce@postregister.com

• More than 2,000 American children resided in meth labs in 2002, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. These children are at risk of being injured by fire, explosion and exposure to toxic chemicals.

• Babies born to meth users and addicts suffer a wide range of birth defects, including low birth weight, tremors, excessive crying, attention deficit disorder and behavioral disorders, according to U.S. Health Services. Babies are also at greater risk of child abuse (particularly "shaken baby syndrome") and chronic neglect.

• Last year, 1,000 children ages 10 to 17 were booked into eastern Idaho's 3-B Juvenile Detention Center in Idaho Falls. Brian Walker, the center's director, estimates 80 percent of them have had some contact with methamphetamine.