North Dakota: METH BOOSTS NUMBER OF FOSTER CARE CHILDREN

Children and Family Services Director Paul Ronningen said meth crimes are boosting the number of minors in foster care.

Ronningen estimated 15 percent of children are in foster care because their parents are serving jail sentences for meth offenses, second only to alcohol offenses. He said demand for foster care is rising despite a decline in the state's under-18 population.

"Meth use is a major problem, and I don't think we've seen it plateau," Ronningen said in testimony for the legislature's Budget Committee.

Copyright Washington Crime News Service Jul 26, 2004
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