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Originally Posted by seabird
From reading the boards, I am gathering a lot of young children (babies) and young toddlers, that drugs would probably be involved???
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There are lots of reasons that children are removed from their parents. With babies and toddlers it is often drugs or alcohol. Domestic violence, arrests and "failure to thrive" are also fairly common. Parents' mental health can also be an issue. This is just a little sample of why kids go into care.
If a baby tests positive for any drugs/alcohol at birth, the hospital will call the state agency. With my son the hospital called because mom has medical issues and significant cognitive delays and just could not mother.
Seabird - if you are concerned about the effect of drugs on a baby you might adopt - please read around on the forums. There are several threads that address this. There is much media "hype" about "drug babies" and it can seem scary. Please know that there are lots of children whose birth mothers used during pregnancy and are healthy, happy, thriving kids. For other kids, the in utero exposure can be mentally, emotionally and physically devastating (particularly alcohol exposure).
My current foster child is six months old. He was exposed to numerous substances during the pregnancy - and is a thriving happy baby - doesn't seem to have any effect now - but I will certainly keep my eye on him for any issues.
I think that you will find as you read the forums that there is rarely one simple answer to most questions.
Good luck.