I’m Angry, Louisiana. Our Kids Deserve Better.

So many people posted on social media this past week about gun violence. The recent school shooting that took the lives of so many children once again reminded us we aren’t safe anywhere. We should be angry. We should be searching for solutions. But what about the kids that never make it to school? What about the kids who live with that violence or abuse in their own homes every day?

In Louisiana, our systems are failing our children. Babies are dying before getting a chance to see their first birthdays because their birth parents are allowed to bring them into drug homes where signs of abuse are prevalent but ignored. How is this even happening? Are we that dedicated to the idea that children are better off with their birth parents regardless of their living situation? The answer is yes. It is nearly impossible in the state of Louisiana for a child to be removed from their birth home. You know what else is nearly impossible without going through a three ring circus? Drug free, educated, willing parents adopting a child. Why does it make any sense for a couple wanting to adopt to have multiple home studies, fingerprinting, background checks when they aren’t even the ones proven to be on drugs? Why is it so hard to give these babies a safe place to start their lives?

The children will never have a chance. If they make it to see their first birthday, they will have suffered so much damage from exposure to drugs and abuse, their future is almost non-existent.

If you want to post about something, if you want to get passionate and scream for change, let’s start with early interventions. Our systems are failing our children. They will never stand a chance in today’s world. They will never know violence and drugs aren’t the answer. Call your local child protection offices every time you see something that isn’t right. Every. Single. Time.

The benefit of the doubt should always be given to the child; a parent loses that right when they choose drugs.