DRUGS AREN'T BIGGEST RISK FOR CHILDREN OF ADDICTS

Lifestyle, Surroundings Pose Most Problems, Experts Say

Despite widespread attention given to "crack babies," crack cocaine probably
has less of an impact on the physical health of children exposed to the
drug prenatally than cigarettes or alcohol.

That's according to Lance Longo, medical director of addiction psychiatry at
Sinai Samaritan Medical Center.

"There are few specific long-term birth defects" associated with prenatal
use of crack cocaine, said Longo, who treats about two or three crack-
addicted pregnant women a week.

"Probably the greatest impact (on the child) is not the impact of cocaine
itself, but being a kid in a household where the mother is using, and the
mother isn't able to take care of her kids like she might ordinarily do," he
said.

In Milwaukee County, there were 193 cases of drug-exposed infants referred
to the county Department of Human Services in 1997, the last year for which
figures are available. There were 255 such cases in 1996; 248 in 1995; and
291 in 1994.

"We believe this is just the tip of the iceberg," said Jefferson Aikin,
department spokesman.

M. Christina Glick, vice president of development for the National Perinatal
Association, said drug-addicted women typically do not receive prenatal
care, during which risks to the fetus can be identified and possibly
treated. Glick also said cocaine use by expectant mothers can lead to
miscarriage.

"The need is for prenatal treatment programs, not punitive management, such
as arresting these women," she said. "When moms receive prenatal treatment
for their drug addiction, the pregnancy will be healthier and the baby will
be born into a better environment, without the social chaos that
accompanies a drug abusing mother."

Longo said drug-addicted pregnant women are more likely to use alcohol or
other drugs; fail to maintain proper nutrition; or engage in other high risk
behavior such as trading sex for drugs. And they are more at risk for
premature delivery.

Babies in such situations may have lower-than-normal birth weights and
smaller-than-normal head circumferences. And they often are more irritable
and less able to be consoled than other infants, Longo said.

Placing the easily agitated infants in the care of drug-abusing mothers
could lead to an "explosive situation," said Henry Plum, an attorney who
specializes in child abuse cases.

Denise Revels Robinson, systems director of the Bureau of Milwaukee Child
Welfare, said people who suspect an expectant mother is harming her unborn
child by using drugs should call (414) 220-SAFE.

"We have the authority to go out and investigate," she said. "If (the
mother) cooperates, we're going to work with her to get her into treatment.
"If she doesn't cooperate, she could be detained."