ON BABY

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By Dale Jodoin In the world's big problem with drugs like crack, meth, and heroin, there's a sad story that doesn't get told much. It's about the smallest victims, babies, who are born into a life of struggle because their moms were caught in the grip of addiction. Back in the '70s, hospitals were filled with the cries of babies who, right from birth, were fighting against the drugs they were exposed to in their mom's womb. These babies couldn’t stop crying because they were feeling the harsh pain of withdrawal. Fast forward to today, and sadly, this is still happening. More babies are being born facing this tough battle, and it doesn't seem to be getting better. People are trying to fix the drug problem by giving addicts clean needles and safe places to use drugs, aiming to reduce harm. But what about these tiny babies? They start life in a really tough spot, craving drugs they never chose to take. How do you help a newborn baby who’s suffering like this? Statistics show how big this problem is. For example, in the United States, the number of babies born withdrawing from drugs, a condition called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), went up a lot between 2000 and 2012. This means thousands of babies start life in pain each year because of drug addiction. These little ones don’t just cry more; they have a hard start in life that can affect them forever. They didn’t choose this, and it's not fair. They are paying the price for a problem they had no part in creating. We often talk about helping drug addicts but forget about these babies. They and their moms need our help too. It's not just about today's drug problem. If we don’t do something, the next generation will suffer too. These babies grow up, and their rough start can lead to more problems later in life. This sad situation should make us think and want to do something. If you see a pregnant woman struggling with addiction, it's a chance to help not just her but also her baby. We need to push for more support for these women and their children. They need care, love, and help to break free from the cycle of addiction. In the end, while there are no easy answers, we must try harder to help these innocent babies. They deserve a chance at a better life, free from the pain and problems of drugs. Let’s not forget about them. They need us to speak up and help make a change.