TREATMENT CENTERS IMPROVED HEALTH

WASHINGTON - Drug or alcohol-dependent women who were pregnant or had
children became significantly healthier after participating in residential
substance abuse treatment programs, including two in Richmond, Va., federal
officials said.

A study of 5,110 women admitted to the programs nationwide reported a
decline from 51 percent to 27 percent of those who used crack. Other drug
use also dropped dramatically, officials said yesterday.

For women who participated in the programs while pregnant, rates of
premature delivery, low birth weight and infant mortality improved.

Included in the study were programs of the Richmond Community Services
Board and Virginia Commonwealth University's Center for Perinatal Addiction
Residential Project.

Grants to operate the programs nationwide were awarded in 1993-1995 by the
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, part of the federal Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration.