Babies Born Hooked: The Epidemic of the "Oxy Babies"

Newborn Withdrawal numbers

	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Dade	9	8	10	13	17	15
Broward	11	12	35	36	38	47
Palm	12	15	15	29	34	21
State	258	354	481	659	966	1,088

Source: Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration

Twenty years ago America was struck with the epidemic of the “crack babies.”  Today, specifically in South Florida, we witness the epidemic of the “Oxy Babies.”

According to the Miami Herald, a Florida newborn is treated for drug withdrawal syndrome three times a day.  This simple means that the baby was exposed to the drug while in the womb.  The painkiller, oxycodone is the rising drug of choice amongst pregnant women in the state of Florida.

“Oxycodone had such a grip on my life,’’ admits Jennifer Clingan, 33, a Marine and former insurance agent who is due in July. “It’s like a monster that will not let you go. I was not there for my other two children like I should have been. Now I am fighting to save this baby, to deliver a healthy son.’’

The Miami Herald reports that just five years ago 275 babies in Florida were treated for withdrawal syndrome. In 2010, nearly 1,100 babies were treated, quadrupling the amount in 2006.  According to the Agency for Health Care Administration, 463 mothers were treated for drug related complications during their pregnancy in 2010.  According to AZcentral.com, these numbers aren’t getting better. The numbers are growing rapidly because of the serious prescription drug addiction in South Florida.  

The Florida Department of Children and Families are usually called in when a baby is tested positive for any drugs. In some cases the mothers are given help through programs such as the Susan B. Anthony Recovery Center. Their purpose is to ensure that babies are born clean and families are reunited. In other cases, some parental rights are terminated.

Doctors hope that like crack babies, the oxy babies will be able to bounce back and not suffer long-term effects. Abc 7 news Reports that Kathryn Shea, president of the Florida Center for Child and Family Development, says the number of babies being born addicted to prescription opioids is increasing, and the short-term effects are heartbreaking. “A lot of tremoring, constant crying…these babies are at higher risk for developing seizure disorders, they're at higher risk we believe for developing SIDS -- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. They’re pretty inconsolable, a lot of crying, difficulty developing routines and sleep schedules, difficulty being comforted and soothed.”

According to drugfree.org, a meeting was held last week between health care executives and Florida officials. On the agenda was the discussion of how on a plan to protect these unborn babies from their drug addicted mothers. Possible solutions will be constructed as future meeting are held to rectify this rising epidemic in South Florida.