Alarming 45% increase in newborn babies suffering withdrawal
BEL AIR, Md., (May 6, 2015) – A newborn baby shouldn’t have to suffer the pain of substance abuse withdrawal, but nearly 100 Harford County newborns did just that in 2013, representing an alarming 45% increase from 2012. The Harford County Department of Community Services Office of Drug Control Policy, in partnership with Upper Chesapeake Health and the Harford County Health Department, are hosting a panel discussion to raise awareness about the dangerous, long term impacts of drug abuse during pregnancy. The event will take place at Harford Community College’s Chesapeake Theater on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
“Acknowledging the seriousness of the substance abuse problem in Harford County is one step in the right direction,” said County Executive Barry Glassman. “We must also work to reduce drug abuse and the number of innocent newborns who are suffering from substance abuse withdrawal at their very first breath.”
Panel guests will include Dr. Marie McAleese, American Board of Pediatrics certified pediatrician at Upper Chesapeake Health; Mary Beth Collins, program and operations director at the National Association for Children of Alcoholics; and a mother who adopted a drug exposed baby, and the baby’s birth mother.
Registration is required by May 11, 2015. Please contact the Office of Drug Control Policy at 410-638-3333 or [email protected]. Light refreshments will be served.
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