Methamphetamine has a hidden cost, a legislative committee learned Wednesday.

Betournay spoke before the Health and Human Services Appropriations subcommittee Wednesday.

Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, served on a meth task force.

"This is one cost that wasn't considered," Buttars said. "This is a cost of meth we need to consider."

A successful outcome for families is not as likely without the additional caseworkers, said Lisa-Michele Church, executive director of the state's Department of Human Services.

The division is also experiencing an employee turnover rate of 15 percent a year because salaries are low, Church said. Those hired are generally straight out of college.

Hiring graduates straight out of college is a challenge, Church said, because some clients think that someone that age without their own children doesn't understand what they are going through.

Children placed in foster care in 2009 can expect to stay 225 days versus 200 days in 2004 due to meth, Betournay said.

"In 2004-2005 we were receiving signals of an increase because of meth, but in 2006 we were hit hard," he said.

The cost of having children in foster care is also increasing because more children need more court-ordered services, Betournay said.

"We have problem children having to stay longer in state custody and more difficult children requiring services and parents in substance abuse programs," he said, all adding to the costs.

The division provided treatment to 3,758 children in 2004. In 2007 the division provided treatment for 4,263 children.

The cost for caring for children in foster care has gone from almost $34 million in 2006 to $42 million in 2007. The division projects it will spend $45 million in 2008.

No breakdown was provided on how much of the increase in numbers and costs is due to meth-related problems.