Drug Raids Lead To Bullying Of Unsuspecting Children, Sheriff Planning Action

The children of adults arrested in drug raids are unsuspecting targets of bullying, according to Blaine County Sheriff Travis Daugherty.

Daugherty drew attention to the issue in a social media post in May, asking parents to remind their children to be kind.

"We had a particular incident where a little girl was at a house, and she said that everybody at school is going to know what's going on in my house," Daugherty said about a recent drug-related arrest.

The experience is rooted in a common issue, according to Oklahoma Faith Network Opioid Program Manager, Courtney Davis.

"It's important to me to educate youth and get them while they're young," Davis said. "There's a lot of stigma around substance misuse and addiction."

Intervention in instances of bullying falls onto schools and parents, but Davis said counseling and pro-social activities are another way for children caught in the middle of a family member's substance use disorder to receive help.

"If [children] don't have positive experiences and they just have these adverse experiences, they are more than likely to use substances as a coping skill," she said. "One, because they saw a parent or caregiver or guardian do it, but also because now they're struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma, and some people turn to substances to cope."

Daugherty said he plans to work with school districts and the district attorney's office to better serve children impacted by drug-related arrests. He also has ambitions for stricter sentencing for repeat offenders, and those with more serious or violent past convictions.

More information on ways to help children can be found on the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse website.