ROCHESTER — They're the innocent victims in the methamphetamine epidemic. When police bust a meth lab, many times children are present.

Police in Indiana and Michigan have specific protocols to follow when they arrive at a scene and there's meth and children present.

They say it's not that these parents don't love their children. Instead, police say the parent's top priority turns into getting their next high.

"I was actually high on the drug the night that was taken," said Deborah Moss of her mug shot.

It was taken November 21, 2001 when she was arrested for dealing methamphetamine. The same night she lost her two young children, then only 2 and 3 years old.

"I was on it six months and within six months I lost everything," explained Moss.

Her children had been in the house when she would get high.

"I'll be honest with you, I would have sold my soul to the devil. That's how much I wanted it. I would have done anything for it. Did I put my kids at risk? Absolutely," explains Moss of what meth did to her life.

According to Indiana State Police, last year more than 100 children in Indiana were taken from their homes because of meth.

They are kids found near explosive and toxic materials used to make the drug.

"It's become a growing problem, I think not only here, but statewide and nationwide," said Tony Sommer with the Elkhart County Department of Child Services.

His department is in charge of helping children in Elkhart County taken from their homes. Their work includes getting the children physical examinations, emotional evaluations, food, clothes, and foster homes — which he says are always in short supply.

"It's the most addictive drug out there and it is really just tearing apart our future," exclaimed a detective with the Cass County Drug Enforcement Team, who wanted us to protect her identity.

Over the last three years, they have referred 47 children to the Department of Human Services in Cass County alone because of meth.

She's even seen babies test positive for the drug.

"The kids are taking in the odor, the chemical smell. Babies are crawling around where chemicals have fallen down onto the carpeting. They're getting it on their hands. They're putting it in their mouths," explained the detective.

Police say it's also not uncommon for there to be sexual and physical abuse as well.

Children in this situation often experience respiratory problems, developmental problems, malnourishment, attention deficit disorders and violent behavior.

"I have a lot of regret, a lot of regret for the things I did, but I can't take that back," said Moss.

Instead Deborah calls the three years she spent in prison a blessing.

She's been clean now for six years. She has her children back, and she hoping to help other parents by sharing her story.

She has created a meth support group in Rochester, where she lives.

Indiana is testing a new treatment for drug abusers called Access to Recovery. It focuses on those who are recovering from meth addictions and women who are pregnant or have children living in poverty.

It's expected to expand into St. Joseph and Elkhart counties this summer.