RESCUING INFANTS FROM THE DEPTHS OF VICTORIA'S CRYSTAL-METH CRISIS

VICTORIA -- The washer and dryer in Angela Hatch's home run non-stop
against the din of crying, drug-addicted babies. Infant formula is
also constantly being prepared for feedings every two hours.

The former operating-room nurse is a specialized foster parent who
usually takes in one or two drug babies into her Victoria home. This
month, she was caring for four of the incredibly fragile, high-needs
infants. Three are crystal-meth babies.

"Some get upset by the crying," said Ms. Hatch, 61. "But I keep the
calm. I'm not better than anyone else, I've just been doing this a
very long time. I have a very good routine."

In the past 25 years, she has fostered more than 60 drug- and
alcohol-addicted babies. But now, tiny crystal-meth babies are
beginning to dominate.

As the highly addictive street drug ensnares more victims, more
babies are being born hooked on it.

By mid-February, at least four more drug-addicted babies will be born
in Victoria, according to Erin Brule, of Victoria's Foster Parent
Support Services Society.

Since November, Ms. Hatch has dealt with 10 drug-addicted babies in
her other role as an adviser for Victoria's Safe Babies Program. The
program works with mothers who want to reclaim their babies from foster homes.

She believes that the number of crystal-meth babies is doubling each year.

Vancouver Island Health Authority spokeswoman Suzanne Germain said
about 30 to 35 babies have been born to drug-addicted mothers at
Victoria General in each of the past three years.

While the annual total has remained relatively stable, within that
total, the number of crystal-meth-addicted babies has grown steadily,
Ms. Germain said.

"In the scheme of things, more addicts are taking it," she said of
the easy-to-find drug which kills the appetite and provides an
eight-hour high for $10.

Because addicted mothers almost always have multiple addictions, such
as crystal meth and alcohol or prescription drugs and heroin, rarely
is a baby born addicted to only one substance. Determining exact
numbers of crystal-meth-addicted babies is difficult.

The addicted mothers range in age from 16 to 39, with no single
racial group dominant.

Since November, there has been a growing shortage of foster homes for
the babies, who require constant care for up to one year. Highly
trained foster parents, such as Ms. Hatch, have been forced to accept
a few more babies than normal.

"We are desperate for homes," she said. "We are all on overload."

There are eight homes in the area that take in drug-addicted infants.
An additional three respite homes provide the full-time caregivers
with four-day breaks. Still, some caregivers fear they will burn out.
At least four more homes are needed.

But caring for the infants isn't easy.

Once they enter the foster home, following about four weeks of
withdrawal in the hospital, they sleep for 22 to 24 hours.

"They're completely shut down," Ms. Hatch said.

Round-the-clock feedings are mandatory for the undersized babies.
"You need to be able to function sleep-deprived," said Ms. Hatch, a
4-foot-10, 80-pound dynamo who can function on three consecutive
hours of sleep.

In addition to needing little sleep, those who want to care for a
drug-addicted baby must live in a two-parent home with no children
younger than age 10 and one caregiver must be available full-time.

Often the babies' mothers won't accept what their addiction has done
to another human being.

"They're almost always in denial about any impact to the baby," Ms.
Hatch said. Some have gone so far as to accuse her of giving their
babies drugs.

Up to nine months of age, the babies are rarely taken out of the home
because going to a mall would be too much stimulation. "You keep them
in a bubble," Ms. Hatch said.

The only out-of-home visits are to see doctors and for immunizations.
All other services, such as physiotherapy, are provided in the home.

With two grown children of her own, Ms. Hatch considers it a huge
privilege to look after other women's babies. She adopted five of the
babies, now aged 17 to 32.

"I've always had a soft spot for medically fragile babies. They have
the hardest road ahead."

A harmful mix

Crystal meth -- made from lithium, acetone, drain cleaner, camp-stove
fuel and battery acid -- has a devastating effect on a fetus and on
the early development of an infant:

Fetuses exposed to the drug experience the same effect as the mother:
increased pulse, respiration, blood pressure and temperature for
three days after the high has disappeared.

Babies can be born prematurely and with defects such as spina bifida,
club foot, cleft palate, low birth weight and smaller body size.

Affected infants will often turn away from a direct gaze. Clothing
tags must be removed. Some don't like to be touched while others want
to be held all the time. Some cry inconsolably for hours or smell
foul because of the toxins leaving their bodies.

Hyperactivity and delays in speech development are common.