Familial Substance Use and Misuse: Dynamics, Impact, and Support
Familial Substance Use and Misuse: Dynamics, Impact, and Support
Thursday, October 15th, 2026
8 AM to 4 PM EST
IN-PERSON at the Middlesex Fire Academy
1001 Fire Academy Drive, Sayreville, NJ 08872
Register Here:
Familial Substance Use and Misuse: Dynamics, Impact, and Support – Coalition Manager
Agenda:
8 am to 8:30 am- Arrival and Registration Check In
8:30 am to 8:45 am- Opening Remarks
8:45 am to 9:45 am- Hazards of Clandestine Laboratory to Children- Lt. Angel Perales and DSFC Pakorn Patimetha
9:45 am to 10 am- BREAK
10 am to 11:15 am- The Interplay Between Childhood Trauma and Substance Use- Reanna Bell
11:15 am to 11:30 am- Hero for Children Award Presentation
11:30 am to 12:45 pm- LUNCH
12:45 pm to 2 pm- Drug Endangered Children: Often the Forgotten Ones- Eric Nation and Jennifer Sleiter
2 pm to 2:15 pm- BREAK
2:30 pm to 3:45 pm- Strengthening DEC Responses within Child Advocacy Centers– Eric Nation and Jennifer Sleiter
3:45 pm to 4 pm- Closing Remarks and Departure
Session Descriptions and Learning Objectives:
Hazards of Clandestine Laboratory to Children– Lt. Angel Perales and DSFC Pakorn Patimetha
This session will cover a “Strict Liability” investigation that I was point on years ago. That investigation resulted in an overdose death of an adult male. Subsequent investigation revealed the identity of the drug dealer, and search of his residence, which revealed a kitchen plate with white residue under his bed. The home was occupied by both adults and a handful of children. I could bring in the Autopsy Report that has the lab results of toxicology and from that point, turn it over to DSFC Patimetha who will then complete the presentation with his expertise and experience.
Learning Objectives-
- Identify the dangers children may face when exposed to illegal narcotics operations conducted in residences or accessible structures.
- Recognize safety hazards associated with children’s proximity to locations used for illegal narcotics activities.
- Understand how individuals facilitating narcotics operations can create unsafe environments for children.
The Interplay Between Childhood Trauma and Substance Use– Reanna Bell
Childhood trauma and substance use are often interconnected, yet substance use can be misunderstood, stigmatized, or overlooked within child-serving systems. This training will explore the relationship between childhood trauma and substance use, including how bias and perception influence professional responses to youth substance use within Child Advocacy Centers and their MDT partners. Participants will examine the intersection of trauma and substance use in three key contexts: the role of substances in the grooming and disclosure process, substance use as a coping strategy, and the impact of caregiver or third-party substance use on children’s safety and well-being. Through interactive activities, discussion, and practical examples, attendees will gain strategies for recognizing substance use through a trauma-informed lens and responding in ways that promote engagement, safety, and healing for children and families.
Learning Objectives-
- Recognize how personal, professional, and systemic biases may influence perceptions of substance use and impact responses to youth and families within Child Advocacy Centers.
- Describe the relationship between childhood trauma and substance use, including its role in the grooming and disclosure process, substance use as a coping mechanism, and the effects of caregiver or third-party substance use on children.
- Apply trauma-informed strategies for assessing and responding to substance use concerns in children, adolescents, and families served through Child Advocacy Centers.
Drug Endangered Children: Often the Forgotten Ones– Eric Nation and Jennifer Sleiter
This training will help participants understand who drug endangered children are along with the risks and long-term impacts that are associated with parental and caregiver substance misuse and drug activity. Trainers will discuss the importance of and opportunities for early identification and intervention and the need for multidisciplinary collaborative efforts to identify and help these children. Trainers will provide examples that all disciplines can relate to and activities to assist in understanding this challenging topic. Trainers will help attendees understand that they have opportunities to change the trajectories of the lives of drug endangered children and break multigenerational cycles.
Learning Objectives-
- Understand the risks and long-term impacts associated with parental and caregiver substance misuse and drug activity.
- Understand the many opportunities (often missed) to identify drug endangered children and the benefits of early intervention.
- Learn what multidisciplinary collaborative efforts look like and how it incorporates the unique and often limited resources within a community and applies them in a manner that provides better care for drug endangered children.
Strengthening DEC Responses within Child Advocacy Centers– Eric Nation and Jennifer Sleiter
Children impacted by caregiver substance misuse often experience overlapping medical, developmental, emotional, and safety concerns that require a coordinated, trauma-informed response. Child Advocacy Centers are uniquely positioned to respond to these complex cases — particularly when a Drug Endangered Children (DEC) clinic is embedded within the CAC model. This course will highlight how medical and investigative disciplines work together to identify risk, reduce system gaps, and improve outcomes for children. Participants will receive an overview of the DEC Clinic model, including its purpose, services, and benefits for children and families. The course will also explore the short- and long-term impacts of caregiver substance misuse on children’s physical health, development, behavior, and safety. Drawing from collaborative practice, the presenters will demonstrate how coordination between medical providers, forensic interviewers, and multidisciplinary team (MDT) partners strengthens assessments, supports investigative decision-making, and enhances child safety planning.
Learning Objectives-
- Describe the purpose and core components of a DEC Clinic embedded within a Child Advocacy Center, including how the model supports children impacted by caregiver substance misuse.
- Recognize the medical, developmental, and behavioral effects of caregiver substance misuse on children, and understand how these impacts may present during CAC and MDT involvement.
- Explain how collaboration between medical providers, forensic interviewers, and MDT partners strengthens child protection efforts, improves information-sharing, and supports more informed investigative and case-planning decisions.
Speaker Biographies:
Lieutenant Angel Perales began his law enforcement career with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office in 2007, serving in the Domestic Violence, Special Victims, Narcotics, Gangs and Violent Crimes Task Force, and Homicide Units. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2019 and Lieutenant in 2021, subsequently serving as Deputy Commander and, in 2024, Commander for Passaic County (CNCANJ). Lieutenant Perales has been a member of the Passaic County SWAT Team since 2010 and currently serves as a Team Leader, having participated in numerous high-risk search warrants and large-scale investigations. He holds certifications as a Firearms Instructor, Subgun Operator/Instructor, Patrol Rifle Operator/Instructor, and SWAT/Active Violent Event Instructor, and serves as the Supervising Firearms Instructor for the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office. He is also a Police Training Commission-certified Firearms, Physical Conditioning, and Senior Lead Defensive Tactics Instructor and has contributed to statewide revisions of defensive tactics training. Lieutenant Perales has extensive experience investigating criminal organizations, narcotics trafficking, gang activity, and intercepted communications, and is recognized as a Use of Force and Firearms Subject Matter Expert and Superior Court expert in Firearms and Operability. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Seton Hall University in 2004 and has received numerous awards and citations throughout his career.
Detective Sergeant First Class (DSFC) Pakorn Patimetha serves in the New Jersey State Police Hazardous Materials Response Unit, where he leads statewide initiatives in narcotics field testing and the implementation of fentanyl response protocols adopted by multiple agencies. He is recognized as a subject matter expert in contaminated crime scene processing, unknown substance identification, and clandestine laboratory investigations, and has provided expert testimony in numerous jurisdictions. He also directs the development of CBRNE response plans and coordinates with partner agencies supporting major events, including the 2025 FIFA Club Cup and the 2026 World Cup. DSFC Patimetha holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from New Jersey City University.
Reanna Bell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor and an Assistant Director of Clinical Services at the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, where she previously worked as a therapist. She is TF-CBT Certified, CFTSI rostered, EMDR trained, PSB-CBT trained, and the DCAC within-agency PSB-CBT-School Age trainer. Her prior experience includes providing therapy and substance use treatment in juvenile justice settings and working in private practice with trauma, substance use, and eating disorders. Before becoming a therapist, Reanna studied classical drama and musical theatre in New York.
Eric Nation spent over 20 years in the field of law enforcement where he worked his way up to Lieutenant. As a Lieutenant, he led a large successful drug task force and started a countywide Drug Endangered Children Alliance. Mr. Nation came to National DEC to have a greater impact on law enforcement and other professionals by training and educating them on substance misuse and the impact to children. Mr. Nation was the Director of Training and Development where he helped develop curriculum and materials, worked with agencies across the country to provide trainings and technical assistance to professionals. Mr. Nation is also a national trainer on various topics including substance use, law enforcement, building multidisciplinary teams, capacity building, and drug trends. Mr. Nation is currently National DEC’s Executive Director impacting change at a different level. Mr. Nation is very passionate about helping children and brings passion to every part of the work he does across the country.
Jennifer Sleiter has dedicated her career to the well-being of children, specializing in the care of those affected by abuse, neglect, and substance exposure. She has been a part of the Regional Child Protection Center/STAR Center at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa since 2004, where she assesses and treats children facing these challenges. A Pediatric Nurse since 1995 and a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) since 2001, Jennifer brings over two decades of expertise in child welfare and healthcare. She is also a Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS). In her role at the STAR Center, Jennifer works with Drug Endangered Children (DEC), providing care for infants exposed to substances during pregnancy and children living in environments where caregivers use drugs. As a member of the Polk County, Jasper County, and state Drug Endangered Children Alliances, she is an active advocate for these vulnerable populations. Jennifer is also a DEC Certified Trainer through the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children and has been recognized for her leadership with the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children’s Collaborative Leadership Award in 2012. A dedicated community advocate, Jennifer serves as a medical representative on local multidisciplinary teams, reviewing cases of child sexual and physical abuse, DEC cases, and offering general consultation on child welfare matters. She is also an experienced presenter, sharing her knowledge on the effects of substance use exposure on children, including neonatal abstinence syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Continuing Education Credits will be offered for this event.
