SOFT 2004 Meeting Abstracts - Society of Forensic Toxicologists

C28
METHAMPHETAMINE DETECTION IN URINE OF CHILDREN CO-EXISTING WITH
CLANDESTINE METHAMPHETAMINE MANUFACTURING
Ann Marie Gordon*, Barry K. Logan, PhD
Washington State Toxicology Laboratory, Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau, Washington State Patrol,
2203 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 98134.
In 2000, the Washington State legislature enacted the "Drug Endangered Children's Law" to protect
children found at clandestine methamphetamine manufacturing sites. The law mandates that children
found at these sites be placed in protective custody and allows for a mandatory two-year enhancement on
any "Unlawful Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance" conviction when children are present at the
clandestine lab site. In March 2002, the legislature passed a follow-up bill mandating that any person
allowing hislher child to be present at a methamphetamine lab, be charged with a felony child
endangerment charge, regardless of whether they were charged with the manufacture of methamphetamine.
The Washington State Toxicology Laboratory is tasked with providing forensic toxicological services for
the coroners and medical examiners and all police agencies within the 39 counties of the state. We began
receiving samples (typically urine) as part ofthe Drug Endangered Child program in 2000, without advance
notice and without a suitable protocol for appropriate testing. Over the past two years, we have coordinated
with two police agencies to develop a suitable sample collection and testing protocol.
The Washington State Toxicology Laboratory received 26 samples, from February 2002 through February
2004, collected from children for investigation of drug endangerment; 5 diapers, 1 serum and 20 urine
samples were submitted to the laboratory for analysis. The ages ofthe children ranged from 4 months to 16
years of age, mean and media age of7 years, half of the subjects were female and 23 of the 26 cases (88%)
were positive for methamphetamine.
In most of the cases (20 of the 23 positives), the concentrations of methamphetamine and amphetamine in
the samples were relatively low, between 0.02 mg/L to 0.2 mgIL methamphetamine. In these cases, it is
reasonable to state that the children ingested methamphetamine but may not have exhibited any associated
effects. Of the remaining three cases, two exhibited signs of methamphetamine intoxication at the time of
their encounter with the police and were treated in the hospital for their symptoms. The first, a 6-monthold
male, had a serum methamphetamine concentration of 0.12 mg/L and the second child, a 2-year-old
male, had urine concentrations of 13.59 mgIL methamphetamine and 0.9 mg/L amphetamine. The third
case with high drug concentrations was a 16-year-old male with urine methamphetamine of 0.05 mgIL and
amphetamine of 18.5 mgIL.
Children living in a methamphetamine-manufacturing environment are endangered by many associated
factors, the toxicity of the associated chemicals used in the manufacture, inherent fire danger, neglect and
are at a higher risk for sexual abuse. The presence of methamphetamine is an indicator that the children
have been in unsafe environment and this data can be used to support a case of child endangerment. Child
endangerment charges have been filed in at least 12 of the cases; in one case the defendant was convicted
of illicit methamphetamine manufacture and he received a sentence enhancement for the child
endangerment charge.
Key Words: Methamphetamine, Children, Clandestine
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