Methamphetamine is a drug that takes complete control of people’s lives. It has power over users’ sleeping habits, their finances and their relationships.

In some cases, it causes parents to neglect and even terrorize the tiny people who need them most.

"I think that they love their kids. I really do, most of them,” said Special Narcotics Agent David Forsythe, with the Wisconsin Department of Justice. “It's just that the drug has such a hold on them that they crave it so bad, it's just pushed to the forefront and they forget about their kids."

Sometimes, meth users forget about their kids for days at a time, abandoning children not even old enough to tie their shoes, to dress themselves, feed themselves and even baby-sit.

Angel Fremming is one of those kids. She grew up with a dad who used and manufactured meth in their barn.

Although she was just a child, she was often left to care for the family. “I would have to look after my little sister; that was one at the time and my brother,” she recalled.

Angel and her siblings would be left on their own while dad and step mom catered to their addiction. “They would always stay outside in the barn at night time and sleep all day,” she added.

However, young children, who have to take care of themselves, isn’t even the worst part about growing up with meth-addicted parents.

“Along with all of those things comes just the chaotic lifestyles,” Forsythe said. “People coming and going that are of less than stellar reputations. It’s going to be the dope addicts, the dope dealers, people that are armed with weapons.”

Then there is the unthinkable.

One of meth’s side-effects is violent behavior, leading to cases of parents who beat their little ones, pull their hair out and even threaten to take a child’s life, like Angel’s dad.

“He choked me and said ‘if you want to die I’ll kill you myself,” Angel said.

If you’re still not convinced that it’s impossible to be a good parent while using drugs, perhaps this will.

"There have been parents that have had such a craving for the drug that they've been willing to trade sex with their child," Forsythe said.

It does not matter if it is sexual abuse, violence or neglect, everything a child goes through growing up with meth-using parents can result in years of emotional and psychological issues, even if they escape the dangers of the chemicals and survive abuse at the hands of parents who should love and protect them.

It is heart-wrenching to think of the things parents on drugs will do to their own children.

Please take a look around your community. If you think someone in your community is using or manufacturing methamphetamine and a child may be in danger, call your local law enforcement agency immediately.

Click on the link below to find out what suspicious activities indicate meth may be in your neighborhood.