ADDICT MUMS NOT UNUSUAL

Four babies were born to drug-addicted mothers on Nelson's methadone
programme last year, and two more will be born soon.

Alcohol and drug service regional manager Eileen Varley said these numbers
were "pretty average", and it was not uncommon for women being treated for
opiate addiction to become pregnant.

The issue of expectant mothers on methadone was highlighted this week by an
ombudsman's report into a drug-addicted inmate who was handcuffed while
preparing to give birth at Christchurch Women's Hospital.

Nelson alcohol and drug service nurse Belinda Heaphy said treating babies
and mothers on methadone was "intensive".

Babies were closely monitored to see whether they were addicted, and were
treated for withdrawal symptoms.

"The babies are often irritable, they get the shakes, a bit of diarrhoea,
and flu symptoms," she said.

Sometimes the infant would be given a small daily dose of morphine to ease
their distress, Ms Heaphy said.

A baby could stay in hospital for up to three weeks, depending on the
severity of the addiction.

Ms Heaphy said no long-term effects on babies born to mothers on methadone
were known "at this stage".

"It is much better that babies receive regular, small doses of methadone
than uneven amounts of drugs depending on what the mother can afford."

She said some women had been on very small doses of methadone for many
years. She compared the situation with that of a diabetic on insulin.

"Often it's just a stabiliser. The women are not out of it on it. It's much
better for them to have methadone than still be using."