Perinatal Substance Abuse: What's Best for the Children?

This report, which is based on the work of the Perinatal Substance Exposure Think Tanks, establishes priorities for statewide services in California to young children who are prenatally exposed to alcohol and drugs. Although the report focuses on the developmental needs of children, it also examines efforts to provide prevention and treatment services to mothers. Children prenatally exposed to alcohol and other drugs are at risk for physical, behavioral, learning and social dysfunctions that may limit their hopes and potential. The risks of maternal alcohol and drug addiction are compounded by the risks associated with poverty and because of the newborn's greater fragility and vulnerability may result in inadequate mother-child attachment. Children of alcohol and drug abusers may have as much as 10 times the average risk of becoming substance abusers themselves with all its attendant dangers. Other child development issues for these children relate to trust and their relations with their families and neighborhoods. Think Tank participants offered 21 policy and program recommendations from the perspectives of children living with families involved with chemical substances, living in foster care, and served by early education programs. The recommendations addressed: (1) terminology used to describe children of substance-abusing mothers; (2) prevention; (3) children's developmental assessment; (4) early intervention; (5) family treatment; (6) foster care; (7) family reunification; (8) prenatal, pediatric, and mental health services; (9) child care and education; (10) training for service providers; and (11) funding of services. A case study of "Tony," a child born to a substance-abusing mother, and of Tony's family, is provided. Appended materials include a description of the Child Development Programs Advisory Committee and a 10-item bibliography. (BC)