Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jan 2002
Source: Daily Press (VA)
Copyright: 2002 The Daily Press
Contact:  http://www.dailypress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/585
Author: Alison Freehling

PROGRAM FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AIMS TO HELP THEM AVOID DRINKING, DRUGS

NEWPORT NEWS -- When a woman enters the South-Eastern Family Project, two 
lives are at stake: her own and that of her unborn child.

The new residential addiction treatment program, launched late last year by 
the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board, helps pregnant women who 
are abusing drugs or alcohol.

Women get treatment and housing during their pregnancies and for two months 
after their babies are born.

Doctors and counselors teach the women how to avoid a relapse. At the same 
time, mothers-to-be learn about everything from good prenatal care to 
parenting and effective birth control. They also get help with job training 
and finding permanent housing.

"These are people who are dealing with an enormous amount of challenges," 
said Lisa Hogge, who oversees the program. "They need to learn how to be 
good parents at the same time that they're breaking what might be years of 
addiction."

Substance abuse during pregnancy is proven to increase the risk of 
miscarriage and serious birth defects.

Women in the program live in a building on Terminal Avenue in Newport News. 
Just six of 16 spots are filled. Hogge wants to get the word out to people 
who might refer women who need help.

That includes judges, lawyers and others in the criminal justice system, 
social services agencies and health-care centers such as free clinics and 
hospitals.

Women are eligible if they are over 18, pregnant and have used alcohol or 
drugs in the past six weeks. They also must have gone through another 
addiction treatment program, such as outpatient therapy, without success. 
Women are discharged with relapse prevention plans that often include 
outpatient counseling.

The South-Eastern Family Project operates with Medicaid dollars and a state 
grant. The daily cost of treatment is $145, with $120 billed to Medicaid 
and the other $25 covered by the grant.
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MAP posted-by: Beth