It is heartbreaking to hear of pregnant women with a drug problem who are effectively passing on their addiction to their unborn baby. However, according to a statement made recently by Children Services Manager at Appoġġ, Ruth Sciberras, this is precisely what is happening, as more and more woman fall victim to substance abuse, and continue “using” even when they learn that they are expecting a child.
The result is that the child in the womb is likewise ingesting the drugs, and when the baby is born, he/she suffers from withdrawal symptoms and has to be put on medication.
While the first reaction of most people when reading this would be to condemn the mother, Ms Sciberras was careful to point out that most of these mothers are willing to co-operate with Appoġġ, and agree to get the necessary treatment. It is when they refuse to co-operate that Child Protection Services are asked to intervene.
Understandably, these stories shock us because we continue to labour under the false impression that “these things” only happen in other countries. We hear about celebrity drug abusers like Amy Winehouse who died recently at the age of 27, and shake our heads at how such a talented singer could have thrown her life away, forgetting that we have our own tragic stories right here on our doorstep. There are too many nameless young women (and men) here in Malta who, while not famous, are just as ravaged by the drugs they cannot do without. The emaciated, almost grotesque figure of Winehouse towards the end is the image of hard drug users everywhere; victims of their own addiction who cannot get their lives back on track.
How much more tragic then, is it for substance abusers to not only drag themselves down, but that of their newborn as well? Why would anyone who is clearly unable to take care of themselves take the chance of becoming pregnant in the first place? Even if the state does intervene in time and removes the child from such a risky environment, that child will still spend the first months of his/her life having toxic chemicals removed from its body. If the child is placed into care because the mother is declared unfit, for the rest of his/her life they will know that the reason they were separated from their birth mother was because of drug use.
What a terrible way to start one’s life. What a burden to place on a child who is born innocently into a situation not of his/her own choosing. While drug users need our compassion and empathy if they are to overcome their addictions, once they bring children into the world, their focus needs to shift to include the future wellbeing of these kids.
Ms Sciberras stated that most parents (even those who are drug abusers) wanted the best for their children. At the risk of sounding simplistic, one hopes that wanting the best includes a genuine willingness to give up drugs because keeping their children is more important than anything else.