BP: Heroin, meth push county toward a 'fiscal cliff': Officials spending reserves to cover rising child placement costs

BEMIDJI—The number of Beltrami County children removed from their parents' custody has nearly doubled since 2012, and it's straining the county's coffers.

County staff warned county officials and state lawmakers here Tuesday that Beltrami County is approaching a "fiscal cliff" as it pays for more and more children to live, at least temporarily, away from their parents for safety, mental health or correctional reasons.

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/4482726-heroin-meth-push-county-toward-fiscal-cliff-officials-spending-reserves-cover-rising