BUSINESS

Measures to Safeguard Children of Mothers Who are Dependent on Illegal Substances

Measures to Safeguard Children of Mothers Who are Dependent on Illegal Substances

Literature Review

In the past few years, several research studies have been conducted on the health issues related to the health of children who were exposed to maternal illegal use of drugs. According to the estimates of the National Survey on Drug Use during Pregnancy (1992), around 222, 000 infants per year have been born to mothers who are illegal drug users during pregnancy (Kim & Krall, 2006, p. 1).

Figure 01: Life Rate of Birth by Age of Mother (Camden, 2012, p. n.d.)

Wells (2009, p. 345) defines the category of illegal drugs as a composition of heroin, methamphetamines, cocaine and marijuana. According to Kim and Krall (2006) substance abuse among pregnant women has been a national concern for numerous reasons; however, there have been factors other than prenatal drug use that cause health issues to children (Kim & Krall, 2006, p.3).

Figure 02: Illegal Drug Use (NHS Choices, 2010, p. n.d.)

In the light of the estimates of the British Crime Survey report for 2009-10, illegal drugs have been tried by people in the age bracket of 16-59 living in England and Wales. These people have been responsible for the deaths between 1300 and 1600 yearly in the UK (NHS Choices, 2010, p. n.d.).

Figure 03: Child Death Rate under the Age of 1, per Live Births of 1000 (Camden, 2012, p. n.d.)

According to Day and George (2005, p. 253), drug use either illicit or licit might lead to a range of psychiatric, social and medical problems, and the situation would become even complicated if the drug user were pregnant. Research statistics indicate that children under the age of one and particularly young babies have been extremely vulnerable to neglect or abuse to the extent of death (Working Together Online, 2010, p. n.d.).

Maternal Exposure to Illegal Substance

Gargari et. al. (2010, p. 411) identified substance abuse as a complex public health problem with economic and social implications for health. It is a fact that mother's exposure to illegal substance abuse during pregnancy has been occurring in all socioeconomic classes, races and ages with an increased prevalence among young women (Gargari et. al., 2010, p. 411).

The situation may become severe if the substance abuse by the mother is coexisting with the social problems such as social deprivation, high risk lifestyle, poor hygiene and nutrition and psychological problems. It might increase the pregnancy complications leading to morbidity in neonates (Gargari et. al., 2010, p. 411).

Figure 04: Geographical Distribution of Maternal Death Causes (Glasier et. al., 2006, p. 1595)

Drug abuse by pregnant women has been higher in the West including 5.5% in the USA, 5% in the UK, and 6% in Australia (Gargari et. al., 2010, p. 411). Many parents have been struggling to meet the basic needs of their children that will have an impact on all aspects of growth, health and development of a child. In such situations, many children rely on their own strategies ...