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Marijuana and Child Abuse

Four children die each day from abuse and neglect in the United States, and reports of child abuse and neglect continue to grow while all other crime statistics are coming down, according to a recent report by Prevent Child Abuse America.

In the last decade of the millennium, the number of children reported as abused or neglected in the United States grew by 33 percent to reach a level of 3,244,000. State reporting agencies from around the country cited the following reasons for increasing rates of child abuse and neglect: poverty and other economic strain; parental capacity and skill; other incidents involving domestic violence; and substance abuse by one or more parents. In fact, 85 percent named substance abuse as the most frequently cited problem exhibited by families reported for maltreatment.

Another report from the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect states that 50 to 80 percent of all child abuse and neglect cases substantiated by child protective services involve some degree of alcohol and other drug use by the child's parents.

The link between alcohol and illicit drug abuse and child abuse is clear. Adults who abuse alcohol and drugs are more likely than others to physically, sexually, or emotionally abuse or neglect their children. In turn, childhood victimization is a major risk factor for later drug abuse. At least two-thirds of patients in drug abuse treatment say they were physically or sexually abused as children. Without intervention, this cycle can be unending and devastating.

Marijuana is often considered a “mellowing drug,” but its effects on the user and his or her parenting skills can be just as damaging as other drugs considered “harder” or more likely to cause violent behavior.

Research shows more anger and more regressive behavior (thumb sucking, temper tantrums) in toddlers whose parents use marijuana than among the toddlers of nonusing parents.

Parents who use of marijuana may also do the following:

• Set a poor example for children to follow.
• Expose children to the health risks of second hand smoke.
• Expose children to dangerous situations while the parents’ judgment is impaired (including driving while high).
• Neglect essential childcare due to a lack of motivation.