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DYS: 4 kids born to drug-addicted mothers so far in 2017
In 2017 alone, four children were born to mothers who battled drug addiction, according to the Division of Youth Services.
The trend was first noticed in 2014 when one child was reported being born with drug-use related defects. The trend started to grow with two children reported in 2015 having drug-use related defects. In 2016, five infants were reported to DYS with drug-use related birth defects.
This year, already four children showed signs of birth defects caused by drug use, based on DYS numbers.
DYS Child Protective Unit supervisor Julian Camacho said the division is authorized to take custody of children born to drug-addicted mothers. So far, nine children are under the division’s care, he said.
According to Camacho, the process is long but it is necessary for the wellbeing of the child.
The process starts after receiving a report of a child born with drug-related defects. Once the child is taken into the care of the division, the mother will be taken to court. The trial could last for as long as a month, according to Camacho. The child remains in the care of the division for the duration of the trial.
According to Camacho, once full custody of the child has been granted to the division, the child is put into a kinship program established by the division. The kinship program is a foster care program that ensures that the child is placed in an environment that is free of drugs.
Camacho said even though the child is living with another family, DYS is still in custody of the child.
The division continuously checks up on each child in the program and sets up appointments for each child in order to undergo treatment for the drug-related defects.
According to Camacho, the division takes care of the children’s treatments.
According to a previous Saipan Tribune article, drug-related birth defects include premature delivery, displacement of the placenta, small weight and height of the infant, lethargy, heart and brain abnormalities, and neurobehavioral problems.
Children born with these birth defects are prone to die due to sudden infant death syndrome, slow growth, constant admission to the intensive care unit, and an unstable home environment.
