INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (NETWORK INDIANA): Data from a pilot program released by the state suggests that one in five babies tested at hospitals are addicted to drugs.
The data comes from a pilot program run through the Indiana State Department of Health aimed at better understanding neonatal abstinence syndrome, or NAS. In 2014, the Indiana legislature formed a task force to study the issue statewide.
Four hospitals, including Community Health East, Schneck Medical Center, Hendricks Regional Health, and Columbus Regional Health, participated in the pilot.
NAS occurs when babies are exposed to certain prescription drugs or other drugs while in the womb.
Out of 300 babies tested, more than 20 percent tested positive for opiates. Smaller percentages tested positive for other drugs, too.
“We see it in every hospital,” Donetta Gee-Weiler Vice President of Women’s and Children’s Services with Community Health Network said. “I think our state, our citizens; I think everybody would be surprised.”
Director of Maternal and Child Health Martha Allen said that the study will be expanded to include five more hospitals soon.
Both Allen and Gee-Weiler told Fox News they believe the true numbers could be even higher.
Gee-Weiler said one of the biggest points they try to make is that, “None of these moms want to hurt their babies and none of them want to be addicts.”
