Meth Use Contributing to Foster Care Cases

Some rural counties are reporting as many as two in five children ended up in foster care because their parents used, sold or manufactured methamphetamine. Two areas of the state are seeing high amounts of meth activity.

In Northwest Georgia, from Cartersville to the Tennessee border, Georgia Division of Family and Children Services caseworkers are seeing a steady increase in the number of meth related cases.

In the southern part of the state around the Bainbridge-Thomasville, authorities are also observing increases in meth production and distribution.

Several local officials in those areas say the number of meth related foster care cases is higher than forty five percent. Hard numbers from the state are difficult to come by, but a spokeswoman for the Division of Family and Children Services says meth related cases are increasing.

That’s despite recent law changes aimed at curbing meth production, use and distribution. In all, there are about fifteen thousand children in Georgia’s foster care system.

Food Stamp Applications Up

There is a “large increase" in Food Stamp applications, according to Georgia’s Division of Family and Children Services. Ten thousand more people have applied, resulting in an 4.3 % increase compared to this time last year.

Officials aren’t sure if it’s escalating food prices or increased unemployment fueling the demand. Last year, enrollment in the program declined by about a thousand people.

Nationwide, a similar trend is occurring, with the US department of Agriculture reporting 28 million Americans enrolled in the program. In Georgia, about one in ten residents are on food stamps. The average benefit is just over two hundred thirty dollars.

Former state welfare worker pleads guilty

A former state welfare worker has pleaded guilty to defrauding the Department of Family and Children Services out of 105-thousand dollars. Fulton County prosecutors say 43-year-old Gayla Owens made up fake clients and collected payments. Owens was a 15-year veteran of DFCS. She received 15 years probation, ordered to pay back the money and perform 200 hours of community service. Three other former DFCS employees accused of stealing money still face prosecution.