ADDICTED FROM THE CRADLE

The problem of OxyContin abuse in this province has trickled down to
newborn babies. In the past year, more than half a dozen babies have
been born in the province addicted to the narcotic painkiller
OxyContin or methadone. Before 2004, there had been none.

Methadone is a synthetic opiate used to treat addictions to opioids,
like OxyContin, Percocet, morphine, codeine and heroin. First used as
a pain killer in Germany in 1937, Methadone, when used properly,
usually reduces cravings for other drugs. A daily dose is generally
administered by a pharmacist and is taken orally.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it is
dangerous for women who are addicted to OxyContin or taking methadone
treatment to withdraw from the drugs, since withdrawal often causes
the uterus to contract, possibly resulting in miscarriage or premature
birth.

While babies born addicted to OxyContin or methadone generally do not
have birth defects, many go through withdrawal.

"The withdrawal can begin from two days onward," explained Dr. Wayne
Andrews, director of newborn medicine at the Janeway hospital.

Once the hospital recognizes the baby may be suffering from OxyContin
or methadone withdrawal, or is told about the mother's drug use, the
baby is monitored for neonatal abstinence syndrome -- a group of
problems babies experience when withdrawing from narcotics.

"The babies are usually jittery, have inconsolable crying, are
sweating, vomiting, have diarrhea and a rapid heart beat."

The babies are sometimes a little smaller than other babies, Andrews
said. Other symptoms may include fever, poor feeding, yawning and
sneezing. If the baby exhibits a certain number of withdrawal
symptoms, he or she may be treated with morphine. The treatment
usually lasts a number of weeks and gradually tapers off, Andrews said.

"We've only had two babies so far that have needed to be treated with
drugs," Andrews explained.

There is often not a correlation between the severity of the babies'
withdrawal symptoms and the dosage of drugs the mother has taken,
Andrews said.

He said the mothers are encouraged to breast-feed.

"The amount of methadone that enters the breast milk is very small and
may actually help the baby," Andrews said.

A methadone treatment clinic was opened in St. John's about a year
ago. Until that time, Dr. Surender Manhas of Grand Falls-Windsor was
the only physician willing to offer a methadone maintenance program,
and more than 100 individuals from the St. John's area had been
travelling to his clinic. While 15 physicians in this province are
certified to prescribe methadone, only Manhas and Drs. Syed Risvi and
Jeff White -- both of St. John's -- have agreed to do so.