Expert: Jacqui - 10/9/2009

Question
My granddaughter lost her child to the DSS system due to crystal meth found in his hair while hers was negative.  They are accusing her of endangering him by exposure to crystal meth.  After questioning the DSS person as to how this can be in his hair and not hers she was told it can be transmitted through the skin from a user.  If this is true how do you know who is a user?

Answer
Hi Joy,

Unfortunately it is very difficult to find out who is a meth user because they don't walk around with a sign on their foreheads.  A lot of people from different walks of life use meth, some of them have problems, and some dont.  It is, however, problematic if it is found in the hair of a small child because small children shouldn't be exposed to this kind of thing.  I don't, however, believe that all drug users are bad parents.

Unfortuantely people don't want to admit to meth use because of the way others react (case in point, child is removed).  Family and friends often get angry or upset, so it is no wonder the user doesn't want to put their hand up. Also, drug users are really stimatised in society, so why would you want to tell people something about yourself if you knew people were going to think you were a "junkie, liar, bad parent, victim, addict, etc".

The other thing that is potentially an issue is that drug testing is an unproven science and not one hundred per cent accurate.  

Joy, the best thing that you could do is offer to support your grand daughter.  She must be shattered especially as she didn't use the meth!  It couldn't got into her (if indeed it is right) via anything ... she coul'dve picked something up of the floor at the mall!  So I am wondering if there is either more evidence to suggest a problem, or just blantant hysteria!  

Take care,

Jacqui