Example 1
Assessment/Evaluation
Appearing before the court is 1-month-old Raul S. who was placed in temporary custody after the results of a toxicology screen taken on him a birth were positive for methamphetamines, and the mother had had two previous children who were drug exposed in utero. The father, Ricardo P., has a long history of repeated criminal convictions for driving under the influence, and he was released from prison four months ago after serving a sentence for his most recent conviction. Raul, the child, has been placed with his maternal aunt and uncle, and he appears to be making a good adjustment and adequate progress in his development.
The parents appear to love their son, and both have stated that they are committed to do whatever it takes to reunify with him. Both have started parenting education classes and are cooperating with drug testing. The mother is on the waiting list for Blossoms Outpatient Program, a substance abuse treatment program. The father states that he attends NA and AA meetings and has undergone a substance abuse assessment through Gateway. When talking to the parents, they sound earnest in their desire to participate in and complete required services.
Of concern to this worker is both of the parents’ long histories of illegal drug use and alcohol abuse, a history that has run for at least the past 12 years, and the appearance that the parents do not understand the seriousness of their apparent addiction. The father is attending AA meetings, but his 9 convictions for driving under the influence are an indication that he requires a more intensive treatment program, and the Gateway recommendation is for him to enroll in an inpatient substance abuse treatment program. Despite that tests on her newborn were positive for methamphetamines, the mother maintains that she did not use drugs prior to the birth of the baby. She is on a waiting list for an outpatient program. Her Gateway assessment is not completed, but it would seem that an inpatient treatment program for her, as well, is indicated.
Of further concern is the parents’ failure to maintain a regular visiting schedule with Raul. They have verbalized on several occasions the importance of bonding with their son, but they have missed two of the five scheduled visits. The mother relies on the father for transportation, though she has been offered bus passes to assist her in getting to the visits. I have discussed with the parents the necessity of demonstrating their commitment to their son by keeping every scheduled visit.
Given that the mother’s two previous children were born with methamphetamines in their systems and given the father’s repeated incarcerations for alcohol use, one can surmise the depth of their addiction and be disheartened about the prognosis for this case. The hope is that within a treatment context, they will be able to tolerate and integrate a realization of their condition and be able to come around to making the lifestyle changes needed for reunifying with their little boy. The Department is here to assist them as much as possible.