DRUG USE CAN BE HARMFUL TO BABIES AND ADULTS

Disgusting is the only word to describe illegal drug use by a parent at any
time, but drugs are particularly dangerous for expectant mothers and their
unborn children.

Prescription drugs, tobacco products, alcohol and illegal drugs can all be
harmful to expectant mothers and their babies. Most people don't pay much
attention to this growing problem, but one must realize that it is a
problem and only the individual can stop it.

Prescription drugs are things that most people don't think about when they
consider pregnancy and drug use, yet prescription and store-bought
medications can be just as harmful as illegal drugs. Some medicines are
relatively safe to take when pregnant, but some are not.

A woman should inform her doctor if she is pregnant so he doesn't prescribe
a potentially harmful drug for her. A pregnant mother should never take any
kind of medication without first consulting her doctor; caution may prove
to be worthwhile.

Tobacco use is one of the most difficult drug habits to break. Even though
people know tobacco is harmful, smoking is an everyday occurrence, and
nicotine is very detrimental to an unborn child. Smoking by an expectant
mother may cause miscarriage or stillbirth. The newborn may have low birth
weight or be premature.

Tragically, some babies succumb to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome which has
been linked to cigarette use during pregnancy. A pregnant woman should not
smoke because her baby's health is of utmost importance.

Another drug that pregnant mothers should avoid is alcohol. When a mother
takes a drink of alcohol the baby is taking a drink right along with her.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome produces mental retardation, learning disabilities,
facial deformities or disfigured body parts. The infant may have poorly
formed organs, including the brain or heart. The condition is often deadly.

Finally, moving on to illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and
LSD: these drugs are very harmful to a full-grown person, even deadly, so
imagine what they do to an unborn baby. The child may be born too small or
premature, may suffer from severe brain damage, or may be born addicted to
the drug itself. The baby might die from a stroke before he makes it out of
the womb. Little babies should not have strokes!

A rational person may not believe that many expectant mothers abuse drugs,
but an article "Cocaine Use During Pregnancy" reports the findings of Drs.
Jennie Kline, Mario Schittini, Bruce Levin, and Mervyn Susser who analyzed
752 expectant mothers' hair and urine samples. The tests show that more
expectant mothers use drugs than one would expect. In fact, 223 tested
positive for cocaine -- almost 30 percent. That is astonishing! Those 223
mothers would rather get high and risk their child's life than have a
healthy child.

Think of using drugs during pregnancy as killing a child. A responsible
parent wouldn't make a child smoke crack when he comes home from school.
Likewise, a responsible mother shouldn't harm her child while he is still
developing in the womb. This is the time to think and be concerned about
everyday habits that may harm an infant in the long run.

Drinking, smoking and drug use (illegal or not) may cause a baby to be born
with birth defects or other health problems that could last a lifetime.

CURTIS KENNEY
West Burlington