ADDICTION FEARS FOR MORE THAN 50 BABIES

MORE THAN 50 babies have already been born this year to Fife mothers
battling substance abuse, it has been revealed.

Fife Conservative MSP Liz Smith expressed her concern at the news
that 52 such babies have been born in Fife, with three of them
requiring treatment for withdrawal symptoms.

She said, "It is a horrific way for a new life to enter this
world.

"The biggest concern for us should always be the children who become
the unwitting victims of drug abuse, caught up in a dangerous world
where sometimes the next fix can be more important to their parents
than the food on their children's table."

The Mid-Scotland and Fife representative went on, "The most recent
national figures showed that two out of every five children referred
to the Scottish Children's Reporter has a parent or carer who was
misusing alcohol--and seven in every 20 a parent or carer who abused
drugs.

"Some, of course, would have parents who abused both drink and
drugs."

She said it means "nearly half of the young children referred to the
reporter had parents with drug, drink or dual dependency problems.

"There is no doubt at all about the need to identify and support
addictive parents.

"The reality is that if rehabilitation is available swiftly and on a
basis which offers a viable hope to the addict coming off and staying
off drugs, then success will follow.

"Just one baby born in these circumstances is a baby too
many."

NHS Fife confirmed three of the 52 babies born to mums with a
substance misuse problem required treatment for withdrawal symptoms,
but said there were no statistics on how many were
heroin-addicted.

"If pregnant mums disclose that they have a substance misuse problem
when they attend for their routine ante-natal appointment, the drug
liaison midwives, in conjunction with the addiction services and the
drug and alcohol team, work to reduce the risk of damage to the
unborn child by providing support to those mums...by getting them
onto a treatment programme before delivery," a statement said.

Such support is delivered through the vulnerable in pregnancy
programme which has seen fewer babies needing treatment.

Street drug use or alcohol use during pregnancy can cause a baby to
be born prematurely, too small or to have withdrawal symptoms, birth
defects, or learning or behavioural problems.

Many women who use drugs request a rapid detoxification when they
discover they are pregnant but it is often not practical due to the
risks it may pose to the unborn child.

However, the outcome for the mother and her infant is improved if the
mother remains stable on a methadone programme and breastfeeds her
child, as this gives the baby a healthier start in life and helps to
relieve the effects of withdrawal.

Women are advised not to drink alcohol if they are pregnant or
planning to get pregnant.

NHS Fife say the most important treatment issue is the promotion of
stability of drug use and lifestyle and many methadone-maintained
pregnant women refrain from illicit drug use when given methadone or
psychological, social and medical support.

Throughout this process, many remain stable and, as mothers, can care
adequately for their children, especially if offered non-judgmental
support specific to their needs.

Linking with the addiction services, support comes from the midwives,
health visitors, social services and voluntary groups who provide
drug rehabilitation.

Since the Vulnerable in Pregnancy project began in 1999, over 350
women have been supported during pregnancy all over Fife.

Outcomes have been audited and evaluated and, as well as an
improvement in breast-feeding rates, fewer babies are requiring
treatment at birth and the average birth weight is increasing.