Pubdate: Sat, 13 Oct 2007
Source: Courier, The (Dundee, UK)
Copyright: DC Thomson & Co Ltd
Contact:  http://www.thecourier.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/802
Author: Bruce Fegen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

ADDICTION FEARS FOR MORE THAN 50 BABIES

MORE THAN 50 babies have already been born this year to  Fife mothers
battling substance abuse, it has been  revealed.

Fife Conservative MSP Liz Smith expressed her concern  at the news
that 52 such babies have been born in Fife,  with three of them
requiring treatment for withdrawal  symptoms.

She said, "It is a horrific way for a new life to enter  this
world.

"The biggest concern for us should always be the  children who become
the unwitting victims of drug  abuse, caught up in a dangerous world
where sometimes  the next fix can be more important to their parents
than the food on their children's table."

The Mid-Scotland and Fife representative went on, "The  most recent
national figures showed that two out of  every five children referred
to the Scottish Children's  Reporter has a parent or carer who was
misusing  alcohol--and seven in every 20 a parent or carer who  abused
drugs.

"Some, of course, would have parents who abused both  drink and
drugs."

She said it means "nearly half of the young children  referred to the
reporter had parents with drug, drink  or dual dependency problems.

"There is no doubt at all about the need to identify  and support
addictive parents.

"The reality is that if rehabilitation is available  swiftly and on a
basis which offers a viable hope to  the addict coming off and staying
off drugs, then  success will follow.

"Just one baby born in these circumstances is a baby  too
many."

NHS Fife confirmed three of the 52 babies born to mums  with a
substance misuse problem required treatment for  withdrawal symptoms,
but said there were no statistics  on how many were
heroin-addicted.

"If pregnant mums disclose that they have a substance  misuse problem
when they attend for their routine  ante-natal appointment, the drug
liaison midwives, in  conjunction with the addiction services and the
drug  and alcohol team, work to reduce the risk of damage to  the
unborn child by providing support to those  mums...by getting them
onto a treatment programme  before delivery," a statement said.

Such support is delivered through the vulnerable in  pregnancy
programme which has seen fewer babies needing  treatment.

Street drug use or alcohol use during pregnancy can  cause a baby to
be born prematurely, too small or to  have withdrawal symptoms, birth
defects, or learning or  behavioural problems.

Many women who use drugs request a rapid detoxification  when they
discover they are pregnant but it is often  not practical due to the
risks it may pose to the  unborn child.

However, the outcome for the mother and her infant is  improved if the
mother remains stable on a methadone  programme and breastfeeds her
child, as this gives the  baby a healthier start in life and helps to
relieve the  effects of withdrawal.

Women are advised not to drink alcohol if they are  pregnant or
planning to get pregnant.

NHS Fife say the most important treatment issue is the  promotion of
stability of drug use and lifestyle and  many methadone-maintained
pregnant women refrain from  illicit drug use when given methadone or
psychological,  social and medical support.

Throughout this process, many remain stable and, as  mothers, can care
adequately for their children,  especially if offered non-judgmental
support specific  to their needs.

Linking with the addiction services, support comes from  the midwives,
health visitors, social services and  voluntary groups who provide
drug rehabilitation.

Since the Vulnerable in Pregnancy project began in  1999, over 350
women have been supported during  pregnancy all over Fife.

Outcomes have been audited and evaluated and, as well  as an
improvement in breast-feeding rates, fewer  babies are requiring
treatment at birth and the average  birth weight is increasing.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake