New hope for babies hooked on drugs after care appeal

Published on Wednesday 8 April 2009 09:59

DOZENS of people have come forward to offer a home to babies born addicted to drugs after an appeal for foster carers was launched just two weeks ago.

At least 55 people have contacted the council's social work department after hearing about the plight of the 66 babies who were born addicted to drugs or alcohol last year – which equates to five a month.

The newborns suffering from Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) are difficult to care for in the first few months as they try to cope with the withdrawal symptoms as a result of their mother's drug abuse during pregnancy.

They cry more often than other newborns, have pains in their legs and arms, are difficult to settle and feed and suffer stomach cramps – but despite the difficulties in caring for these babies, people have been so affected by the issue that they have come forward to offer their help.

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, Edinburgh's children and families leader, said: "This response demonstrates that, as a society, we care deeply about the welfare of children at risk. It will be some time until we know how many of the interested people will come through and become a carer but this level of interest at this early stage is very encouraging.

"Carers make a huge impact on these very young children at a vital stage in their development and give them a chance to lead safe, healthy and happy lives."

"Whatever your age, if you're in a couple or if you are single, you can apply, as long as you're committed."

The city currently has 270 foster carers on its books, and 459 children in foster care, so there is a huge demand for more people to volunteer to look after children of all ages. The number of vulnerable children in the city has risen substantially in the past ten years – from 879 in 1998 to 1317 in 2008 – leading to huge pressures on the social work department.

At present, there are 1315 "looked after" children in Edinburgh, which includes those in foster care, residential care and those being looked after by grandparents and other relatives.

The number of vulnerable babies taken away from their parents has doubled in the space of a year to 99.

Of those, 66 were born with an addiction to drugs or alcohol – the vast majority of which suffered heroin withdrawal – and 60 were referred for foster placement before they were even born.

The disturbing figures sparked the council to launch a DVD appealing for more foster carers for babies suffering from NAS.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer – either to vulnerable babies or older children who are also in need of a foster home –should contact the recruitment line on 0800-174 833.

'To get this response is brilliant'

FOSTER carer Ruth Robertson has 12 years of experience looking after babies who are born with drug withdrawal symptoms.

She knows it isn't easy, but after caring for eight babies with NAS, she also knows the benefits of offering a decent start in life far outweigh the challenges.

As a midwife, Mrs Robertson has also worked with babies who have needed to undergo a morphine programme before being released from hospital to help wean them off drugs.

The 55-year-old, from Mortonhall, has helped the council with previous recruitment drives but has never seen such a high response rate before.

She said: "If we can get even a fraction of these people to look after these children, it would be fantastic. To get this sort of response is brilliant."