Drug Addicted Mothers
Babies born with drug addictions that require treatment are given small doses of methadone and buprenorphine.
Over half of addicted babies exposed to buprenorphine and 80 per cent of babies exposed to methadone have needed treatment for withdrawal.
Only a limited number of hospitals are prepared to deliver babies in the USA due to complications for the newborns.
Very few options are available for drug addicted mothers for birthing.
Drug withdrawal symptoms for the babies do not set in immediately and newborns are kept in hospital to deal with the problems.
(Source: Drug Watch International 11 April 2011)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
In Australia, medical professionals are faced with similar problems of treating drug addicted babies born to drug addicted mothers.
The drugs used in treatment have particular problems of their own with methadone, for example, known to cause death to users.
Australia needs to focus on prevention policies to reduce the pool of women drug users to reduce the incidence of babies born addicted.
Most female drug users are of child bearing age so the risk is real.
Women trying to withdraw from drug use whilst pregnant face the risk of miscarriage.
Only early intervention policies helping women to become drug abstinent can eliminate a substantial risk to women and babies.
Identified illicit drug using women should be diverted into court directed and supervised drug rehabilitation as best practice to eliminate the risks to both mother and baby.
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
22/2011
