Tory MP reveals 5,500 Babies have been born hooked on drugs
Conservative M.P. for Enfield North, Nick de Bois, has revealed statistics from the Department of health that have shown:
- Over 5,500 babies have been born addicted to drugs over the past five years
- Newborn babies have been given opiates to ease withdrawal from heroin
- Highest rates of births with babies physically dependent on drugs reported in North West England
It has been reported that three babies are born each day addicted to heroin, crack cocaine and other drugs. Statistics from the Department of Health state that these babies were showing ‘neonatal withdrawal symptoms’ within the first few hours of their lives.
These babies require specialist care to cope with fever, severe vomiting and diarrhoea. With babies addicted to heroin, opiates are administered to prevent these babies experiencing seizures. These are then given in reducing doses to help the babies become heroin free.
The figures revealed by Nick de Bois show the highest rate of addicted baby births are in the North West Strategic Health Authority, which covers Liverpool and Manchester.
He said: “We have got to be handing out proper sentences to drug dealers and put the fear of God into them. Otherwise we will forever have this cycle of addicts.”
Simon Stephens, Director of Casework at Addictions UK, said: “These statistics are shocking. Pregnant women need access to drug treatment to help them overcome their dependency on drugs. Support should also be available for family members who are affected by a loved one’s drug use.”
You can read more about neonatal drug dependency in a Daily Mail article.
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