NEW BC FACILITY TARGETS BABIES OF SUBSTANCE-ABUSING WOMEN

Physicians hope British Columbia babies born to women with substance-abuse
problems will receive a better start to life because of a new unit at the
BC Women's Hospital.

Women can be admitted to the unit, which can accommodate 4 infants and
their mothers, at any stage of their pregnancy if they have obstetrical
problems or significant social issues. Housing is the major social problem
for the women, many of whom come from Vancouver's Downtown East Side. Dr.
Ron Abrahams, medical director of the Perinatal Addictions Program, expects
50 to 100 babies to pass through the unit annually.

The program represents a major break from a policy of routinely placing
babies in foster care immediately after birth. A 1993 study showed that
100% of women with substance-abuse problems had to give up their babies
after birth, says Abrahams, and that total has since dropped to about 30%.
Abrahams attributes this to improved prenatal care, better integration of
social services and changing attitudes toward these mothers.

In the new unit, they will come closer to caring for their newborns in ways
other women take for granted. By rooming with their babies in a
low-stimulus, close-contact environment, doctors think the chance the
newborns will need methadone or related withdrawal treatment to reduce
irritability will be greatly reduced. In the past, these babies underwent
withdrawal treatment for up to 6 weeks. In a recent pilot project, says
Abrahams, 5 babies were given morphine for only 3 to 6 days.

Keeping the babies and mothers together is also expected to reduce the need
for foster care. Abrahams says these mothers "have always wanted to do
well, but have never been given the opportunity. Now there's an incentive
for them."

Before the leaving the hospital, they receive an infant-care course taught
by specially trained nurses. The program will also involve alcohol and drug
counsellors, social workers and nutritionists. Funding was arranged by
reorganizing existing resources.

The babies born at the unit will be tracked, although Abrahams admits this
will be a "huge challenge," partly because many mothers move away from
Vancouver to find affordable housing.