Arizona Attorney Recognized for Anti-Drug Efforts

Posted by azdrugrehabctr on August 11, 2014 under AZ Drug Rehab News | Comments are off for this article

Karen Hobbs, Chief Deputy County Attorney in La Paz County, was honored for her efforts in helping children who come from families with a history of drug addiction. Hobbs was presented with an award from the Arizona High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). The group’s goal is to facilitate, support and enhance collaborative drug control efforts among law enforcement. Hobbs was recognized after she worked with different law enforcement groups to educate them on signs that a child is in a drug-endangered environment and successfully protected a child from the actions of their parents who were manufacturing methamphetamine.

HIDTA was impressed with Hobbs’ dedication to the cause, stating that, “she took to heart the recommendations for prosecuting parents that subject their children to a drug environment”. She had one case where the parents were both engaged in making methamphetamine. Instead of just prosecuting them for manufacturing drugs, Hobbs also cited their parental negligence and child endangerment. She charged both the parents with Contributing to Delinquency and Dependency – a class 1 misdemeanor. The statute states that it is against the law to put a child in harm’s way. Hobbs successfully pointed out that the dangers of making methamphetamine certainly warranted a harmful environment for the child. The child was taken from the custody of her parent’s and placed in a safer environment. This was one of the first times a prosecutor successfully used this statute to protect a child.

After the case Hobbs went on to co-host an educational forum to help law enforcement recognize when a child is in danger. During the meeting Hobbs recognized Curt Bagby, the Lieutenant that followed up with the child and who’s investigation made it possible for Hobbs to prosecute the parents. Hobbs presented Bagby with the first La Paz DEC Award for his persistent efforts to protect the child.

Currently Hobbs is working with the state of Arizona to change and strengthen the laws that protect minors from parents who are engaging in drug-related behavior. One thing that law enforcement can tend to lose sight of is that people can recover from their addictions and become good parents again. It is agreed that children should be protected from dangerous environments, but the system should also be set up to work toward reuniting them all as a healthy family once again.