Pubdate: Tue, 28 Jul 2009
Source: China Daily (China)
Copyright: 2009 China Daily
Contact:  http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4379
Author: Teddy Ng (HK Edition), Staff Writer

SERVICE TO PROTECT DRUG ABUSERS' UNBORN BABIES

HONG KONG: The Hospital Authority will expand service for pregnant
drug abusers to reduce harmful effects on unborn children.

The authority served 192 pregnant drug abusers in Kowloon West between
2006 and 2008. Most of those under treatment were users of heroin,
cocaine or their substitute methadone.

Some cases were referred to the authority by the Society for the Aid
and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers (SARDA). The women were treated
using methadone at a clinic in Sham Shui Po operated by SARDA.

Clients will be briefed on the negative effects of using drugs on
their babies, and given a chance to decide whether to terminate their
pregnancies.

Most women confronted with the reality choose to continue their
pregnancies. They will be taught how to care for their infants.
Post-natal services, including detoxification plans, will be provided.

SARDA social worker Yau Chui-wah said some pregnant women are unaware
of the health risks to their babies. Some have carried the babies for
six months before arriving at Sham Shui Po clinic - without having
received a previous medical checkup.

"They just are not aware of the changes in their health and some just
do not want to face the truth," Yau said. "They don't want to believe
that they are pregnant."

Delay in counseling and medical intervention will lead to serious
consequences, said the authority's comprehensive child development
service associate consultant, Patrick Ip Pak-keung.

Women who use cocaine in the initial stages of their pregnancies are
likely to harm the mental development of their babies. Those using the
drug at the late stage may suffer premature delivery, Ip said.

The intelligence of these babies may lag by six months behind normal
children by the time they reach the age of four. Babies born under
these conditions are more prone to becoming hyperactive and face an
increased risk of becoming drug abusers when they get older.

Castle Peak Hospital associate consultant Bonnie Siu Wai-man said
there are no data suggesting the co-relation of drug abuse with
post-natal depression, but added that 50 percent of people abusing
heroin will suffer from depression.

Ah Kit, a 36-year-old mother who was abusing cocaine when bearing her
two children, warned pregnant women abusing drugs to seek help and
kick the habit as early as possible.

Kit had abused drugs for 13 years, influenced by her circle of
friends. She used drugs all the way through the first pregnancy,
before giving birth to her son, who is now five years old.

Kit was terrified the son would be abnormal. To her relief, the son is
healthy. However, her relationship with the son has been affected.

"I immediately gave my son to my mother-in-law to take care of. I was
not confident that I could take care of him at that time," she said.
"I did not undergo any pre-delivery medical check. I just thought that
my son might be an alien."

Kit learned of the authority's service after going to the Sham Shui Po
methadone clinic when she was pregnant again three years ago, and made
up her mind to quit using drugs.

The daughter was delivered three months prematurely. But Kit was
confident, because medical checks did not find any abnormalities and
she was given instruction on how to raise kids.

"I have kicked the habit now," she said. "Women abusing drugs should
not delay tackling the problem. They should be brave to seek help."

Ip said 15.4 percent of heroin and methadone addicted mothers who join
the program were detoxified successfully. Some 32 out of the 67
mothers using soft drugs also quit the habit.

He said the service will be expanded to Kowloon East and New
Territories West.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr