INTERNATIONAL STUDY OF P'S EFFECT ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Wellington: (NZPA) - Drug-using pregnant Auckland women are being asked to
participate in an international study to see how their addiction impacts on
babies.

The Dominion Post reported that more than 100 mothers in Auckland, along
with women from the United States, would be involved in the research, which
would track babies until they were 3.

Auckland University Medical School developmental psychologist Trecia
Wouldes, head of the New Zealand arm of the research, told the newspaper
that mothers who used P, the pure form of methamphetamine known as speed,
and other drugs, were often not identified. They usually came to the
attention of health professionals only if they were in a drug programme or
volunteered the information.

Babies from Auckland, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Idaho and California would be
checked at birth then monitored at 1 month, and 1, 2 and 3 years to see if
the drug use had any effect. Their weight, size and development would be
monitored.

More mothers using P had been referred to National Women's Hospital's drug
and alcohol in pregnancy service and there was a need to plan now for the
needs of their children, Dr Wouldes said.

Other factors, including the family's wealth and make-up, would be considered.