Why Pregnant Substance Abuse Should Be Treated As A Major...

There are many reasons why pregnant substance abuse should be treated as a major issue. The effects of substance abuse on the mother, fetus, and the overall pregnancy can range from none to extremely harmful. Women who use drugs during their pregnancy commonly give birth to â€Å"crack babies† or â€Å"drug babies†. These babies can have developmental disabilities or other birth defects. The mother may give birth to a premature infant, underweight infant, or even have a stillborn birth. The drug use of a pregnant woman has a direct impact on the baby. While the mother is ingesting methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, tobacco, or even caffeine, the fetus is also taking it in. For example, the negative effects of cocaine on the mother can†¦show more content†¦This means that one woman with fewer enzymes could drink less alcohol during her pregnancy, but her fetus could be impacted just as bad-if not worse-than another women with more enzymes that consume d more alcohol. There is no way of determining how much alcohol is â€Å"too much† alcohol during a pregnancy (Uscher, Jen). Each year approximately five thousand to twelve thousand babies are born with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Fetal alcohol syndrome is a group of birth defects caused by the mother’s use of alcohol during her pregnancy. These are either physical defects, such as â€Å"facial abnormalities†, or central nervous system problems. Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of the leading causes of birth defects in the United States. FAS is the most common cause of preventable mental retardation. Some of the facial abnormalities acquired from this abuse include flattened cheeks, small jaws, small eyes, short noses, or thin upper lips. Central nervous system problems besides mental retardation include hyperactivity, impaired language development, seizures, problems with learning, and delayed development of gross and fine motor skills such as sitting up or hol ding on to objects. FAS babies may also have a small skull and hearing disorders. Later in life, a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome may experience trouble in school, problems with the law, and difficulty holding a job or living independently (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome†).Show MoreRelatedAlcohol Abuse Within Native American Societies Essay1303 Words   |  6 PagesSubstance abuse is a topic most prefer not to discuss; it destroys lives, relationships and families all over the world. Native Americans seem to have suffered immensely by it. Since the coming of the Englishmen and the introduction of new knowledge and tools Native people have been trying to hold on to their own culture and their own way of life. Unfortunately with them came new items for consumption, alcohol was one of the main ingredients to the internal downfall of Native populations. NativeRead MoreThe Importance Of Drug Law1105 Words   |  5 Pagesevery hour, a baby is born addicted to opiate drugs. 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