The Connection
Studies place the rate of drug-exposed babies in the U.S. between 7–18% of all births.¹ It is reasonable to state that a minimum of 3000 babies a year in Dallas County are exposed to illicit drugs before they are born. The effects of this exposure vary widely depending on many factors such as the type of drug used, the amount and frequency of drug use, and the gestational age of development at the time of drug use. However, even a single incident of drug use can seriously harm the baby if the drug use occurs at a critical stage of gestational development.

The Costs
A 1990 U.S. General Accounting Office study estimated the median hospital charges for each drug-exposed infant to be $1,100–$4,100 higher than those for non-exposed infants. Applying these figures to a conservative estimate of 3,000 drug-exposed babies, Dallas County residents incurred $3.3–$12.3 million in additional hospital charges in the year 2000. Hospital charges are just the starting point. After hospital care, special medical and educational services will be required by some of the more severely damaged children. Other costs include additional caseloads at Child Protective Services, and the costs of diagnosis and therapy as other effects are detected throughout childhood.

In the News
National Institute on Drug Abuse, March 2003
The full extent of the effects of prenatal drug exposure on a child is not completely known, but many scientific studies have documented that babies born to mothers who abuse cocaine during pregnancy are often prematurely delivered, have low birth weights and smaller head circumference, and are often shorter in length. Scientists are now finding that exposure may lead to subtle, but significant, deficits later, especially with behaviors that are crucial to success in the classroom, such as blocking out distractions and concentrating for long periods of time.

Make A Difference
To report abuse or neglect, contact:
TX Dept. of Protective & Regulatory Services
     (800) 252-5400

Resources
Regional Organizations
  Kid Net Foundation
     (214) 827-9595

State & National Organizations
  NIDA
  NCADI