Pubdate: Sat, 10 Jan 2004
Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2004
Contact:  http://www.stuff.co.nz/otago
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

INTERNATIONAL STUDY OF P'S EFFECT ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Wellington: (NZPA) - Drug-using pregnant Auckland women are being asked to 
participate in an international study to see how their addiction impacts on 
babies.

The Dominion Post reported that more than 100 mothers in Auckland, along 
with women from the United States, would be involved in the research, which 
would track babies until they were 3.

Auckland University Medical School developmental psychologist Trecia 
Wouldes, head of the New Zealand arm of the research, told the newspaper 
that mothers who used P, the pure form of methamphetamine known as speed, 
and other drugs, were often not identified. They usually came to the 
attention of health professionals only if they were in a drug programme or 
volunteered the information.

Babies from Auckland, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Idaho and California would be 
checked at birth then monitored at 1 month, and 1, 2 and 3 years to see if 
the drug use had any effect. Their weight, size and development would be 
monitored.

More mothers using P had been referred to National Women's Hospital's drug 
and alcohol in pregnancy service and there was a need to plan now for the 
needs of their children, Dr Wouldes said.

Other factors, including the family's wealth and make-up, would be considered.