The Pros And Cons Of Drug Abuse

What is Cocaine? Cocaine is the most powerful stimulant of natural origin. It is taken from the leaves of the coca plant which is native to the Andean highlands of South America. It is a potent brain stimulant and one of the most addictive drugs. In ancient times, South American natives used coca for religious and medicinal purposes. The natives took advantage of cocaine’s stimulant properties to fight fatigue and hunger or to enhance endurance.

In 2009, the Journal of American Medical Association wrote that at least 13,000 infants will be born dependent on some sort of substance, and DrugRehab.org says that eight million children have a parent that is addicted to substances as well. Now, most laws do protect the baby from a drug addicted mother, mainly in the event of a stillborn. While having a baby with brain damages and problems caused by the mother’s substance abuse, the mother will also suffer complications during childbirth (Sarah Blustain). Barry Lester found that 320,000 pregnant women suffer from alcoholism or the use of drugs. He views that their punishment is based on what society deems is criminally wrong and believes it is a disease that should be treated at a mental health facility not prison or jail(Drug-addicted mothers need treatment, not punishment). Drug addicted mothers, pregnant or not, pose a threat to a child’s safety, and therefore, should be punished.

Every twenty-five minutes, a child is born with a predetermined drug addiction. There is nothing this child can do for itself. They were not given a choice in the matter and they can do nothing about it, many not having a strong support system from their parents while they do so. Although there are methods to treat Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, the effects are horrible and long lasting. Many children this year will be born with a drug or alcohol dependency and many others will die due to this.

One in ten children are born affected by prenatal alcohol or drug exposure (NCSACW). This exposure could have long term effects on their life and wellbeing. There have multiple bills and policies that have been introduced to the government to address these issues. Two bills, in particular, focus on the prevention, treatment, and education on substance exposed infants. The first bill, The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), was reintroduced in 2004 and focuses on the abuse and neglect of children. The second bill, Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015, addresses prevention of prenatal exposure and treatment for opioid using mothers. This paper will be addressing each policy in detail and the outcomes they have on families and children.

In the United States, prenatal substance use continues to be a widespread problem with the addictive substances used during pregnancy; the risk factors, and the long-term effects a baby can have. When a pregnant woman uses drugs, she and her unborn child face serious health problems. Long-term effects of drugs on babies can include behavioral problems as they grow older. They can also be born addicted to the drugs used to treat the mother’s addiction. The task at hand is to make sure that we view all drugs of abuse through a common lens, regardless of legal status, so that their impact on child outcome can be adequately assessed leading to appropriate policy

The Opioid Epidemic and the Newborn Patient article was written by Dr. Jean Rex and in this article, she talks about the effects that opioids have on families. The article is specific to pregnant mothers and infants. According to Rex (2017), “recent studies have found that 14-28 percent of pregnant women filled a prescription for an opioid medication during their pregnancy.” The use of opioids while pregnant can lead to numerous birth effects for the baby. She also talks about the effects of Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) on an infant. The syndrome is caused when an infant is exposed to opioids while in the utero. Dr. Rex continues the article with discussions for a healthcare professional to be able to know the signs

Over the past years, drugs have been taking over more lives than we could have imagined. It seems that drugs have become more “popular”, even though they have been around us our whole lives. Kids starting at age 11 are now doing drugs, which is pretty upsetting knowing your little brother could be doing drugs without you even knowing. A more upsetting topic is babies being born addicted to drugs. A study has shown in 2004 seven babies in every 1000 were born addicted to drugs, by 2013 27 in every 1000 babies have been born addicted (Staufenberg, J. (2015, September 7). Huge increase in babies born addicted to drugs in US. Retrieved October 1, 2015.). I know it’s hard, thinking how such precious little humans can be born suffering from withdrawal. Poor babies have to suffer due to their mother’s mistake, ever wonder how baby withdrawal can stop? A topic that has a lot of controversy around it is, should all pregnant women be drug tested? My opinion before I survey 100 people is, I believe they should be drug tested in order to protect the baby. In fact Tennessee has made a law to arrest mother who give birth to drug addicted babies. The legislation gives moms of babies who are born dependent on drugs two choices: Face a misdemeanor charge or go to drug court where they will be put through an 18-month treatment program. (Tenn. Moms Can Now Be Arrested for 'drug Babies ' | HLNtv.com." HLNtv.com. 1 May 2014. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.) The effects of babies born to drugs could be

Getting addiction treatment before and/or after birth and the importance of maintaining a connection to support when child is born

For many years now, we have heard about the controversy of chemically addicted mothers and the detrimental effects is has on their children and unborn fetus. Social norms quickly label mothers as unacceptable or inadequate. For this issue to be addressed, we will look at drug treatment options, the social impact of the problem, ethical concerns, family issues, and incarnation of chemically addicted mother. Furthermore, we will look at addiction prevention.

Employment, family and friend are seriously at jeopardy when addiction overshadows and become more important. Family suffer tremendously from the neglected due to a family member plagued with this disease. The constant worry for the person’s welfare causes emotional stress that can break down the family structure. Children are the most venerable when a parent suffers with addiction. Child Protected services state approximately 50% to 80% of all child abuse and neglect cases involve some degree of substance abuse by the child’s parents (NIDA, 2000). Babies born with birth defects due to a mother cocaine use during pregnancy is another unfortunate reality (NIDA, 2000). There are over 45,000 cases of cocaine-exposed babies per

During my clinical rotation at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, I got to observe the care of two infants with symptoms of NAS, which sparked my interest in this topic. The first infant was born to a mother suspected of drug use, and the newborn’s urine had been positive for opioids. Mom claimed she was not “using anything,” and while there may have been drugs given during labor that would cause this positive drug screen, the mother had only been at the hospital for around 20 minutes before the baby was delivered. The mom was also showing signs of impaired parenting, did not want to hold the baby, and generally someone else took over feedings. She was not in custody of her other three children. This mom would also disappear on smoke breaks for over an hour at a time, which seemed a bit suspicious to me. The newborn presented at first as very sleepy, “such a good baby” according to the family. However the newborn was having trouble with feedings, not tolerating very much and spitting up. After 24 hours, the newborn was beginning to show other signs of withdrawal, like flushed cheeks, and it was apparent that her stay would have to be much longer.

Many women, including teens, abuse drugs while they are pregnant. This rate is especially high to those who are homeless, underprivileged, or live in a broken home. In order for drug abusers to even have a chance at beating their addiction they have to have support whether it’s family, friends, or boyfriend/spouse. They must also let the abuser now all the consequences to themselves and the unborn child. There are many consequences when using drugs during pregnancy such as miscarriage, health risks to baby, and health risks to the mother. And learning disabilities and brain damage to the fetus.

The worker contacted Gaylyn Moore who is the mother of Joseph Moore and grandmother of Destiny and Alexis Moore. Mrs. Moore stated “Heather the girls mother has never taken care of her children, Destiny does more her siblings then Heather does. Heather doesn’t cook or clean the girls have told me she would drink all time and smoked “pot”. Heathers husband Bryce was verbally abusive to Destiny and physically abusive to Alexis even once giving her a concussion, but Heather never pressed chargers or even took Alexis to be treated. Bryce is incarcerated now and I don’t know when he’s getting out but he shouldn’t be allowed around the children. Heather has also been abusive to Alexis as well. During an argument she pushed Alexis on a bed. (July

is unfathomable. Although, sanctions were put in place to monitor these so called “pain management clinics” the struggle still exists and babies are still born addicted and needlessly suffering. Hope for Drug Addicted Infants is dedicated to ending the distress for not only the unborn, but the many infants born addicted and suffering with lifelong effects due to the abuse of prescription drugs by their mothers. Our goal is to provide a “safe haven” where mothers can come for aid, counseling, recovery, and both emotional and spiritual support without judgement. Moreover, I goal is to hold fundraisers to not only bring awareness, but recruit volunteers such as medical professionals to assist with the recovery and care. Ultimately, our goal is to provide any and all support needed to aid in recovery and ultimately prevent further babies from suffering. Hope for Drug Addicted Infants are their advocates and our service project is dedicated to preventing further suffering from the abuse of prescription

Children can be subjected to the negative effects of parental substance use in a variety of different ways. For example, substance use during pregancy can cause detrimental outcomes for newborn infants by placing them at a higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), being born with birth defects, developing behavioral and developmental delays, being born premature, etc. Children with addicted parents, are placed at a higher risk of: lacking appropriate supervision; lacking basic needs such as: food, clothing, housing, and medical care; exposure to violence; developing substance abuse issues themselves.