Cole-Hamilton reveals 1,363 babies born dependent on substances

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today demanded that the Scottish Government commit to creating world-leading drug and alcohol services after new figures revealed that almost 1,400 babies have been born dependent on substances since 2017. 

Statistics compiled by the Scottish Liberal Democrats through freedom of information requests show that at least 1,363 babies were born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) - showing signs of drug addiction because of their mother taking legal or illegal drugs during pregnancy. 

The health boards reporting the most cases were NHS Lothian with 692, NHS Grampian with 209 and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with 201. 

The symptoms of NAS, caused by drugs passing from the mother to her foetus’ blood stream during pregnancy, include uncontrollable trembling, hyperactivity, blotchy skin and high-pitch crying. 

Commenting, Mr Cole-Hamilton said: 

“Drug deaths make the headlines but in a host of other ways drug misuse can make lives a misery. 

“There is perhaps no more awful start in life for a new-born baby than to be born dependent on drugs.

“The Scottish Government need to shoulder some of the blame. The cuts they delivered meant drug and alcohol services closed their doors and valuable expertise was lost. 

“I don’t want to see future generations still struggling with drug misuse. That’s why Scottish Liberal Democrats are committed to investing in local services which are best placed to intervene to stop lives from being lost and new lives starting dependent on substances.”