A newly-released study is looking into babies born with prescription drug addictions nationwide. As Sascha Cordner reports, the study comes just as Florida officials are trying to tackle the same problem.
A recent study by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that over the span of a decade, there’s been an upward trend in babies with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, or babies born addicted to prescription drugs. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office Spokesman John Lucas says the data shows there’s a great need to address the issue.
“Attorney General Bondi believes that from 2000 to 2009 that the numbers show there is a three-fold increase in the number of babies diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome demonstrates the need to gain a better understanding of this crisis and to develop sound prevention strategies.”
Bondi created a statewide taskforce on Prescription Drug Abuse and Newborns, which she hopes will become a model for the country on how to tackle the epidemic and protect newborns. Her taskforce held its first meeting in April and is expected to meet again after June.
