Broken System

D. H. S.

Really?!?

For those who don't know, DHS is the Department of Human Services here in CO. Recently, someone I know (keeping this anonymous for many reasons) just had a visit from DHS. Some "anonymous caller called the hot line and reported this family for drug and alcohol abuse in front of a minor child as well as a long list of other things. Just so you know...if that happens, DHS has to investigate. So basically, if you piss off someone, they can "anonymously" report that you're a bad parent and now you have to open your home to investigation.

Now with that said, these accusations were false and there was nothing to really fear. In fact, the accusations couldn't be further from the truth and are most likely from an angry person seeking revenge. Still, this family had to open their home to an investigation, be asked very private things and then have to take a drug test. None of these are a problem except they created a lack of privacy and the accusations caused anxiety. DHS stated as long as the drug test came back negative (which it will) this will be closed out as unfounded. Still the invasion was stressful on all involved.

On the flip side, another family went through a traumatic time when one parent (from a split two household) almost died from a drug overdoes. Because the drugs are prescriptions (though are being abused to create an overdose) and the children are older, DHS investigated and did nothing. Told the other parent that there was nothing that could be done. The concern is that the kids will discover the one parent dead from drugs. The DHS worker said, and I quote, "They probably will and when that happens we'll be here to help. The state can't tell you how to raise your kids, just how NOT to." Well that's just great!

One family has to deal with false accusations and open their lives for the world to see and case closed (now that they asked intimate details of your life). The other family waits for things to melt down and DHS says, "I'm sorry that this sucks. See you when (not if) it falls apart."

I think the system is broken!

Families are being violated by an angry false accuser and the state says, "We'll pay for the drug test" and by the way you have to pee while someone watches you. Then other families have to wait till it falls apart before the state will get involved. I think there are a lot of wasted tax dollars used to look into petty vengeance and not enough for intervention in dangerous situations.

I'll climb down off my soap box now. And as always, thanks for listening!