By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
GOVERNOR David M. Apatang last week signed House Bill 24‑26 into law, criminalizing the act of exposing children to methamphetamine.
Authored by Rep. Malcolm Omar, H.B. 24‑26 is now Public Law 24‑26. It amends the child abuse statute to make it a criminal offense if a person knowingly or recklessly engages in conduct that endangers a child under 18 years old by manufacturing, possessing, or introducing methamphetamine into the child’s body, or by placing the drug in proximity or accessibility to the child, with testing indicating methamphetamine in the child’s blood, urine, or other bodily substances.
The law notes that methamphetamine is commonly abused in the CNMI. Exposure in the presence of children is dangerous because children can absorb the drug, and the person using it may harm the child. P.L. 24‑26 also specifies that pregnant women who use methamphetamine can pass the drug to their unborn child, endangering the child’s health.
The Division of Youth Services recorded 12 newborns testing positive for meth in fiscal year 2025, doubling the six cases reported in FY 2024. As of Dec. 31, 2025, DYS has already recorded two newborns testing positive in FY 2026 — one in November and one in December.
Earlier this month, DYS released its most recent data, showing that cases of child abuse nearly doubled, from 1,429 victims in 2024 to 2,114 in 2025. According to DYS Administrator Vivian Sablan, the increase includes cases involving alcohol and drug use.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
