(THEME MUSIC PLAYS)
OK.
Let's see what I think about the position of this guy here. OK.
Let's see what I think about the position of this guy here.
GRACE TOBIN: Thousands of babies
are born exposed to their mothers' drug use
every year.
ALYSHA: For me, I feel like me using drugs when I'm pregnant,
that's the lowest I could have possibly gone.
It's the one thing I said I would never, ever, ever, ever do,
It's the one thing I said and I did it.
Australia's been in the grips
of one of the world's worst ice addictions for the last decade.
of one of the world's worst But the cost to the next generation
has remained hidden. But the cost to the next generation
has remained hidden.
This is a story about an issue has remained hidden.
This is a story about an issue no-one wants to deal with.
ALYSHA: I've been in hospitals
begging, crying for help,
and they've just looked at me like,
"You're a worthless junkie," kind of thing.
STACY BLYTHE: We're gonna have incarcerations,
we're gonna have addictions.
We're gonna be paying for it as a society.
For these children, the consequences can be life-long.
BRYCE: I was exposed to drugs by my biological mother.
The only reason that I am the way I am is because of them.
(BABY GRIZZLES) Oh, buddy, come here.
But right now there's no diagnosis and very little research.
But right now there's no diagnosis DAN HOWARD: These people need help.
Stigma is just huge,
and we have to grow up as a society.
(BABY FUSSES)
In hospitals and rehab centres
we meet women In hospitals and rehab centres
we meet women fighting to overpower addiction
before it's too late.
DAVIDA: At the end of the day
I've gotta tell myself DAVIDA: At the end of the day
I've gotta tell myself that there's a cut-off period.
Like, I don't want to hurt my baby.
I'm about to head into the special-care nursery
here at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne.
It's where they look after really sick and premature babies.
It's where they look after What you might not know
is there are also babies here
withdrawing is there are also babies here
withdrawing from their mums' drug use.
So, how many babies a year would you see in here
who have been prenatally drug-exposed?
90 to 100 are coming through every year.
90 to 100 are coming through That seems like a lot.
We're seeing more and more of this as an issue in our community.
It's incredibly urgent.
Thank you. Come on in.
Come and wash your hands. Yes. Just here?
Yep. Roll your sleeves up, wash your hands.
Yep. Roll your sleeves up, Midwife Elvira is increasingly
seeing babies affected by methamphetamines or ice.
What are some of the tell-tale signs
that a baby is withdrawing from something like ice?
Babies who are withdrawing from ice that a baby is withdrawing from something like ice?
Babies who are withdrawing from ice
can present Babies who are withdrawing from ice
can present with feeding difficulties,
so, they can have real issues with the coordination of their jaw,
which means that they can't suck at the bottle or the breast.
These babies can also present with tremors or jitters,
so, just a real pronounced shake in their hands...
so, just a real pronounced shake (BABY FUSSES)
..and they can be either quite irritable and agitated babies
who are difficult to settle
or, on the flipside,
they can be babies who are lethargic,
they can be babies who are struggling to wake up.
And if we don't take action
to really get the right amount of milk into them
they can then start to miss some of those milestones.
The Women's Alcohol and Drug Service, or WADS, as it's called,
The Women's Alcohol and Drug Service, is a specialised clinic
for pregnant women with complex substance-use issues.
It was originally set up in the '80s at the time of the heroin epidemic,
but now ice is the number-one illicit drug they're dealing with.
Ice passes from the mother's bloodstream to her brain,
but it also passes from the mother's bloodstream
across the placenta and into the baby
and into the baby's developing brain.
How concerned are you
if a pregnant woman comes to you and there is meth use involved?
if a pregnant woman comes to you Well, it is a real health concern,
and typically when mothers come to us
they're fully aware of that and they're wanting to work on it.
The reality is that methamphetamines
are highly, highly, highly addictive,
and when someone's using them on a really regular basis
it can be incredibly difficult to stop.
We should be paying attention to this across the nation,
we are one little hospital,
and this is something that happens in every community.
Unlike heroin, there's no replacement therapy medication for meth.
The only treatment is detox and counselling.
In north-east Melbourne
I'm visiting a women's-only residential rehabilitation centre.
It's one of only a handful in Australia
that allows mothers to stay with their children on-site
that allows mothers during treatment.
So, a pregnant woman can come here, have her baby
and then return here and continue on with rehab.
and then return here (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Bridgehaven is an 18-bed facility run by the Salvation Army.
Bridgehaven is an 18-bed facility ALL: Morning, everyone!
Mornings here begin with a group check-in...
You really can lose the obsession to use drugs
You really can lose the obsession or impulsively use drugs.
..somewhat of a daily confessional
of the highs and lows of recovery.
I haven't had my kids for four years
and I'm finally getting to see them on the weekends.
and I'm finally getting to see them Um... I hit rock bottom,
I was in trouble with the police,
it was jail or come to rehab.
I've made one big step in my life to come here
and be in this recovery with all you lovely ladies.
(ALL CHUCKLE) Yeah.
Today I'm feeling motivated and excited.
OTHERS: Have a good day, Amy! Thank you.
TERRIANNE: In addiction I never looked at myself in the mirror.
Now in recovery, being here,
I'm getting all my teeth pulled out, so, I get my falsies soon,
I can actually smile because I used to do these ones...
..put my hand over my mouth when I talked, when I ate, everything.
Um... Yeah.
Today there's a new resident moving in.
Today there's a new resident She's 28 weeks pregnant...
Whoa! She's 28 weeks pregnant...
Whoa! ..so, she will be
Whoa! giving birth whilst at Bridgehaven.
So, we'll have another Bridgehaven baby.
Awesome! Yay.
And there's a good group of women here too, very supportive...
24-year-old Alysha has travelled four hours from a regional town
to be here.
So, we've got your key
and we'll go into your room, show you around,
do a bag check. Yep.
So, again, amazing that you got here.
I'm excited to be here. I made it!
You did, you did. Yeah.
Let me carry that 'cause that's too heavy.
Yeah, we'll swap ya. Here you go. Thank you.
Which way are we going? Just through here.
After you.
It's not easy to get a bed here.
On any given day
there are more than 800 people on the waitlist
for residential treatment in Victoria alone.
for residential treatment It smells nice in here.
Alysha was prioritised because she's pregnant,
Alysha was prioritised but it still took a month to get in.
And I know you don't need the cot yet,
And I know so, we'll move that out for you.
This is a big room. Yeah.
It is, it is. It is.
And not long until I'll have my baby in here too,
And not long until so, it'll all feel better.
My first was born at 37 weeks,
so, I'm guessing in the next eight My first was born at 37 weeks,
so, I'm guessing in the next eight weeks she's going to be here, yep.
Great. Yep.
For the past seven days
Alysha's been in detox - a condition of entry for any new residents here.
What was it that you were detoxing from?
So, I was detoxing from cannabis and ice. Yep.
So, I haven't used ice the whole pregnancy,
but I kept relapsing and I was using cannabis.
But I definitely don't wanna do any of that ever again,
so, I'm in the right place for that.
Can you try and explain to me why you use
even though you are pregnant and you know that in your head?
Well, I can't even really give you a solid answer,
but, like, I didn't plan to get pregnant,
so, I was already using when I fell pregnant.
Two, like, there's a lot of stuff
that's happened in the last three years
that, you know, I've tried to, like, forget about,
so, you know, I just was using, using...
Yeah. But then at the end of the day
I thought, well, how am I gonna live with myself
when I have this baby and look at this baby
and know that I used when I'm pregnant?
So, I have to make some positive out of this, you know?
What we're gonna start looking at...
Later, at her first consult,
Alysha tells her case manager it's been difficult to find help.
There's been points at my life
where I've been in hospitals
and I've been, like,
begging, crying for help,
and they've just looked at me like,
"You're a worthless junkie," kind of thing, you know?
"You're a worthless junkie," Or "You're just drug-affected."
So, do you find people don't understand addiction?
Yeah, they don't. But, also,
when you're going through trauma AND addiction at the same time,
when you're going through trauma you need help for that.
And, it's shameful you need help for that.
And, it's shameful to be even reaching out for help
And, it's shameful as a pregnant person using drugs,
but, like, if I can do it and I can get better
and I can be a good person for me and my kids,
maybe I can help someone else.
(BABY SNUFFLES)
TERRIANNE: (SOFTLY) It's OK.
Terrianne has been in rehab for the past three months.
She recently gave birth to baby Lockie.
Hey, Terrie! Hello!
How are you? I'm good. How are you?
Good.
This is Lockie. This is Lockie? (CHUCKLES)
This is Lockie. Oh, my God, look at his hair.
It's crazy. Does everyone say that?
Everyone does. We're stopped in the shops all the time.
He's now living with her as she completes the program.
So, can you tell me a bit about how you've ended up here?
So, I had a 19-year addiction of weed and ice.
So, I had a 19-year addiction And I tried quitting a few times,
been to detox three times,
but never ever considered rehab
'cause I thought I was too good, but never ever considered rehab
'cause I thought I was too good, I could do it myself.
'cause I thought I was too good, Clearly I wasn't. (CHUCKLES)
I've got a few children.
So, Lockie's not your first? I've got a few children.
So, Lockie's not your first? No. Lockie's my eighth.
Wow. Yeah.
My lucky last, my lucky eighth. Yeah.
My lucky last, my lucky eighth. (CRIES)
Oh, buddy, come here.
Come here!
Mwah. What's wrong?
Oh, mate.
This is the first time in two decades
that Terrianne has completely stopped using drugs.
So, you haven't touched ice or cannabis in seven months?
No.
It was really hard. Yeah.
It was really hard. So, I was, like, a everyday user...
Mm.
..so, I had to wean myself off it
and then just, yeah, pretty much quit.
and then just, yeah, I guess, just doing the maths,
that means that you were still using I guess, just doing the maths,
that means that you were still using for some time during the pregnancy?
For the first month to the third month of Lockie's life,
For the first month of growing inside me,
I did, yeah.
How does that make you feel now,
looking back on that first trimester,
knowing that you were using during that period?
It was hard.
Like, I feel happy now
that it wasn't the whole way through like the other children.
In the past with one of my children...
..they were withdrawing,
and that was because I used the whole way through the pregnancy,
I couldn't stop, I was still in that bad addiction.
I couldn't stop, Yeah.
I tried to stop, but I just couldn't.
I tried to stop, (FUSSES)
That full big belly you've got.
You alright, buddy?
It's got bones in it. (CHUCKLES)
Have you forgiven yourself for using during the pregnancies?
Yeah, I have. Yeah.
It... Well, I used to blame myself for a lot of things,
It... Well, I used to blame myself but, um...
..in my eyes, it's not really my fault.
Something happened to me when I was a 13-year-old child,
Something happened to me which started my addiction from 13.
That's all I really knew.
So, I didn't know any different, it was just...yeah, a repetitive cycle.
It's like coming from two points of view for me
It's like coming because I've met you now
and I can see how much you obviously love Lockie...
Yeah. ..and, for me,
Yeah. it's trying to correlate that
with you being pregnant it's trying to correlate that
with you being pregnant and taking drugs at that time,
and, you know, you just think that a mother's love is going to trump all.
and, you know, you just think that a How do you kind of explain
why the drug can win over the safety of your growing baby?
It was hard.
I tried a lot of times to stop,
but I guess the more you take, the longer you take it,
but I guess the more you take, the addiction just stays there.
Addiction is a very vicious cycle. the addiction just stays there.
Addiction is a very vicious cycle. Mm.
OK, I'll just bring up the results.
Drug testing isn't mandatory,
but some residents Drug testing isn't mandatory,
but some residents are regularly screened
but some residents to keep themselves accountable.
Terrianne's latest results have just come back.
Terrianne's results have come up all clear for any substances.
Terrianne's results have come up And we haven't had any issues
with any of her results that have come through.
And that's all clear since she got here?
All clear since she's come in, yep, correct.
Hey, guys.
(LAUGHTER, CHATTER)
Take a seat, (LAUGHTER, CHATTER)
Take a seat, we're just finishing up.
What makes Bridgehaven different to many other rehab programs
What makes Bridgehaven different is its approach to addiction.
Well, I guess it's an interesting time to say,
like, there's a lot of rehabs out there,
so, what was your reasoning behind choosing this one?
There's that flexibility to have your child here with you.
That is incredible.
The number one is no men.
(LAUGHS)
Feels safe as. Yeah.
And I know I can't fall pregnant.
(ALL LAUGH)
Can we say hallelujah?
(ALL LAUGH)
The program tries to keep women (ALL LAUGH)
The program tries to keep women in treatment, whatever it takes.
The program tries to keep women Do you kick people out
if they come here for treatment
and then they end up taking drugs throughout?
No. No, we don't.
We recognise that relapse is, you know, a chronic condition, No. No, we don't.
We recognise that relapse is, you know, a chronic condition,
and, you know, we work with people relapsing.
We do not discharge people
for the very behaviours that, you know, they're here to change.
The use of methamphetamines across Australia is rampant.
It's considered our most harmful illicit drug.
Hi, Dan.
Hello, Grace. Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too. Come on in.
Nice to meet you too. Former Crown prosecutor Dan Howard
was the commissioner of a special New South Wales inquiry into ice.
Please be seated.
He received hundreds of submissions
and heard hours of evidence, He received hundreds of submissions
and heard hours of evidence,
including from pregnant drug users.
The stigma is just huge, including from pregnant drug users.
The stigma is just huge,
and we have to grow up as a society and get over it.
These people need help.
Harm reduction is the key,
and the only way you're going to help these people reduce the harm
is by encouraging them to come forward
is by encouraging them rather than stigmatising them.
Particularly for pregnant women,
did you find that the stigma was even worse than a regular drug user?
To be honest, I think that a lot of people are reviled by the thought
that, you know, how could a mother-to-be
continue with the use of drugs?
But to feel that way is immature.
It shows a complete lack of understanding
of the nature of addiction.
One of his key recommendations was to decriminalise personal use
and instead treat meth addiction as a health problem.
So far the ACT is the only place in Australia to do this.
If we address these things head-on squarely with a proper policy,
If we address these things head-on we will save money hand-over-fist.
There is no doubt about that.
If you add the productivity There is no doubt about that.
If you add the productivity of people if they're well again,
if they have received the treatment that they need,
if they have received we'll be a much healthier society.
Women who use ice during pregnancy
have often experienced immense trauma,
from domestic violence to childhood sexual abuse,
and have complex mental-health problems.
Poverty and homelessness are also common.
So, we're going to visit this place here called The Living Room.
It's basically a service for people who are sleeping rough,
It's basically a service in crisis situations.
And I'm told that this is also
where a lot of pregnant women And I'm told that this is also
where a lot of pregnant women who have drug issues turn up as well
when they have literally nowhere else to go.
The drop-in centre provides free meals and medical appointments,
including an on-site GP.
Oh, hello. It's Dr Daniela speaking.
This morning Dr Daniela is trying Oh, hello. It's Dr Daniela speaking.
This morning Dr Daniela is trying to contact a pregnant patient
who's due for a check-up.
Oh, from The Living Room. Have I got...
Oh, have you? No worries.
Davida's coming in for her follow-up appointment today,
Davida's coming in just a general check-up and a chat.
Davida's been homeless just a general check-up and a chat.
Davida's been homeless for the majority of her pregnancy.
She hasn't engaged much with services Davida's been homeless for the majority of her pregnancy.
She hasn't engaged much with services
in the earlier stages of the pregnancy,
but the past three weeks since she's been housed
she's been attending WADS
and she's coming in today to have a check-up here,
which is great, but it has taken her a while to get to this point.
So, yeah, hopefully everything's going OK.
Five minutes away? Oh, that's good to hear. OK.
No worries. We'll see you when you get here.
No worries. OK. Bye-bye. Ta.
Come on, babe.
(KNOCKS)
An hour later Davida and her partner, Daniel, finally arrive.
Hi! Hi.
How are you? Good.
That's good. Hi, Daniel.
Hi! How are you?
Yeah, good. How are you? That's good. Good!
And how's the baby been going? A lot of... A lot of movement.
So, I'll do your blood pressure, have a feel.
Do you mind lying on this?
Oh, wow.
It's only 16 days until Davida's due date.
Oh, you've got the due date there, in case. (LAUGHS)
Oh, you've got the due date there, Yeah. (LAUGHS)
Dr Daniela is eager for her to have Yeah. (LAUGHS)
Dr Daniela is eager for her to have another ultrasound before the birth.
He's measuring a little bit small, bub.
He's measuring Yeah.
So, he's measuring about 33 centimetres rather than 37,
so, I just want them to have a good look at that.
Hopefully you don't go into labour before Monday
Hopefully you don't so you can get some preparation in.
Later Davida tells me her substance issues are weighing heavily on her.
Later Davida tells me her substance What are those concerns?
What are the big worries on your mind at this point?
Just like with anyone,
if they do needles or...
..you know, you could OD, you could have a shot,
..you know, you could OD, you could have a dirty anything,
and it can happen you could have a dirty anything,
and it can happen to a baby any time.
You know, like, the baby's only tiny,
and the amount of drugs that a drug addict takes on
and the amount of drugs and injects in their body
is way more than what a poor little baby can have, you know, like...
From the start
it's been not just my life that's in...you know, in jeopardy,
it's baby's as well.
Why isn't it as easy, though, as just saying no?
Like, obviously there's something more there for you
Like, obviously that keeps drawing you back to it.
I think it's...
Oh...
A craving.
But, at the same time,
I don't want to...
Like, I don't want to hurt my baby.
At the end of the day
I've gotta tell myself that there's a cut-off period.
I've gotta tell myself So, I've gotta really do it myself,
but I can't in a...
..state where...
..it's, you know, it's so tempting.
Yeah. It's the temptation...
Yeah. ..too that... It lures you to it.
Yeah. You know, like, you just give in.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Davida comes here for help a few times a week.
She's only recently been housed somewhere
she can take her baby home to.
Part of the struggle, she says,
has been the stigma she faces at every turn.
There's plenty of it.
Even with just body language, how people look at you.
Yeah.
And that's what makes you wanna hide out
and makes you want to just numb it once again
and it brings you back to step one of the depression, yeah.
It is hard,
but at the same time, yeah...
..like, you've got all these people in here that help out.
So, yeah, it sort of takes your mind off it.
And, um...yeah, just sticking with the...the positivity
And, um...yeah, just sticking is the main thing.
Yeah. That's getting me through.
And now having the house,
it's lifted a weight off my shoulders so much.
So, it's hope in a way? Yeah.
You feel some hope now? It's... Yeah.
You feel some hope now? In the end
the temptation goes because you're getting confidence then,
and with the confidence, it's the best feeling.
There is hope even when a pregnant woman is using drugs.
Steps can be taken to minimise the risks.
It just takes a weight off your mind.
That's right.
Yeah, you're not doing this alone. Nope.
At the Women's Alcohol and Drug Service in Melbourne
pregnancy is treated as a window of opportunity to stop addiction.
It is a time when women are super motivated,
and we know that there is always potential to improve the situation. It is a time when women are super motivated,
and we know that there is always potential to improve the situation.
So, we know that, even if babies are drug-exposed,
a reduction in the amount of drugs makes a difference.
We know that if mums can perhaps cease their drug use
by the time it's the third trimester,
then the baby's very unlikely
to go through a difficult withdrawal after birth
and need medical treatment there.
Whenever we meet and need medical treatment there.
Whenever we meet a woman on her journey,
Whenever we meet we CAN make a difference.
And, so, today you'll find out...
Today Alysha has come in from rehab for a check-up.
How are you feeling physically?
I'm excited to see the baby.
You've definitely popped since the last time I saw you.
(LAUGHS) Yeah, I know, all we do is eat.
(LAUGHS) Yeah, I know, (BOTH LAUGH)
I want my baby to be healthy and stay in as long as she can.
And have you been asking lots of questions
about, you know, whether there's gonna be any impacts
about, you know, from the earlier drug use?
They seem to think everything will be fine, so...
Because you stopped early enough? Yeah.
And I've been eating and doing all the right things now,
so, you know what I mean? Yeah.
Hi, Alysha! Hi!
Hi, Alysha! I'm Robin. Lovely to meet you.
Do you wanna come on through? I'm Robin. Lovely to meet you.
Do you wanna come on through? Yep.
Alysha's now three weeks into her recovery.
Alysha's now Beautiful.
So, this is baby's head here Beautiful.
So, this is baby's head here down the bottom.
And going up here we can see baby's heartbeat.
We can have a listen here too for you.
(HEARTBEAT THUDS)
Ooh, and a kick! (BOTH LAUGH)
I felt that too. Yep.
Obstetrician Dr Robin Thurman specialises in high-risk pregnancies.
Awesome.
Yeah. All looking good.
All done.
So, what is it that you're looking for
where there has been some drug use during a pregnancy?
So, if a woman has used drugs during pregnancy,
then we can see that the baby may not be as big as expected.
Also we know that there's
a higher risk of preterm birth. Also we know that there's
a higher risk of preterm birth.
That's not something we can always predict, though.
There is only one study in the world
that's tracked the long-term effects
of prenatal meth exposure on children as they grow up.
University of Auckland professor Dr Trecia Wouldes
University of Auckland professor is one of the lead researchers.
TRECIA WOULDES: There isn't any other longitudinal research.
And we have followed them at a number of times -
at birth, at one month, at 12 months, at 24 months,
and on and on and on. at birth, at one month, at 12 months, at 24 months,
and on and on and on.
And we're currently and on and on and on.
And we're currently doing a follow-up at...
And we're currently ..the kids are 11 to 16.
What have been your key findings of the impact on children?
What have been your key findings Over the first three years
we found that there were differences Over the first three years
we found that there were differences in motor development
we found that there were differences and in male babies
there were differences in their early problem solving,
early language, those kinds of things.
They were likely to walk later, sit up later.
They were likely Over those first three years,
we found the methamphetamine babies were lagging behind.
In New Zealand
she's found that, as these kids develop, some issues can intensify.
she's found that, as these kids What about these two children?
The thing that we see the most What about these two children?
The thing that we see the most is poor behaviour on these children.
A conduct disorder
is likely to be what you're going to see as they get older.
Red. (CHUCKLES)
When I talk to principals of primary schools,
we're finding that if you've got four or five children
that have been exposed to methamphetamine,
in their classrooms
it can be in incredibly disruptive for the whole school.
Does meth use during pregnancy essentially cause brain damage?
Does meth use during pregnancy It does affect the brain,
but it isn't irreversible brain damage
but it isn't irreversible because the brain is very plastic.
So, if you go into a home where there's a lot of money
and there's early intervention,
these children can probably have, you know, a similar life
as to a normal child who isn't exposed to this drug.
as to a normal child However, it's not just the drug,
it's also sometimes environments
where there is domestic violence and poverty and other factors
that we know affect child development.
Disturbing data is now emerging in her current study of teenagers.
These kids are reporting now self-harm.
They're reporting thoughts about suicide.
Some have attempted suicide.
We haven't analysed Some have attempted suicide.
We haven't analysed all of our data yet,
but it...yeah, it is a poor story for these kids.
ANNA TOTTMAN: Hello, Terrianne. Hi. How are you?
Hi. I'm good. How are you? Not too bad.
How's Lockie? He's great.
How's Lockie? Come on through.
At the Women's Come on through.
At the Women's Alcohol and Drug Service
babies are followed up for the first two years of their life
even though there's only government funding for six weeks.
even though there's only Remind me how many weeks he is now?
12.
12 weeks exactly. Yep.
Great head of hair you have there, mate.
Great head of hair you have there, He does.
Terrianne has brought Lockie in He does.
Terrianne has brought Lockie in for a check-up
Terrianne has brought Lockie in with neonatologist Dr Anna Tottman.
And my hands are cold. Sorry!
Push them back.
Ready again?
Swing from side to side.
Look at that - lovely and stable.
What're you doing?
And look at that lovely head control.
And you can see that he's moving his legs beautifully. And look at that lovely head control.
And you can see that he's moving his legs beautifully.
Hello!
Oh! Good chat. Alright, gold star.
Come on.
Terrianne is told Lockie's progress so far appears promising.
Well, he's growing beautifully. He is.
Good on you. Well done. Thank you so much.
And his development looks really on track at the moment.
He's got lovely head control.
He's obviously really alert and interested.
He's obviously Alright, young man.
He'll come back for another check-up in four months.
(GRIZZLES) Oh, grumpy bum.
You can't just sign these children off
at six weeks, three months, six months
at six weeks, three months, and say everything's OK
because their brain development
is ongoing for, really, the first two years very rapidly
is ongoing for, really, and throughout childhood after that.
It's too late once they're already delayed.
You need to know beforehand which babies we should be supporting
You need to know beforehand because if you miss that window
of brain plasticity in early life because if you miss that window
of brain plasticity in early life
you'll never get that back.
In Sydney's western suburbs
Dr Stacy Blythe sees the long-term consequences
of prenatal drug exposure
every day.
Ah!
Her foster son Bryce was placed Ah!
Her foster son Bryce was placed into her care as a toddler.
When he first came to me
he was absolutely gorgeous little boy,
but he was two years old and he was wearing a size zero
and he was very small for his age.
And, so, that really started
my investigation. And, so, that really started
my investigation.
I took him to a paediatrician and had him looked at.
I took him to a paediatrician He underwent some tests
and found that his growth hormone was low.
And he's still quite small in stature compared to his peers.
And he's still quite small He also has issues with his eyes,
and then, of course, behavioural and neurologic issues as well.
And they just slowly start to become apparent as they grow and develop
and they're not necessarily meeting their milestones like they should.
Stacy started researching to find out how she could help Bryce
Stacy started researching to find out and other children she cares for.
As an associate professor,
she now publishes papers on prenatal drug exposure.
When you understand the behaviours,
when you understand the deficits
and you understand the cause of them,
it helps you to address them in a different way.
It's not their fault.
And I think it's the most important thing is to remember that.
It's not their fault. They didn't have a choice.
And children are full of potential.
So, if I have the right information and I have the right support,
I can make all the difference for them.
What are some of the impacts that you've noticed over the years?
I guess just understanding things, learning.
So, school, even at my place of work and my career,
just I have to be trained to do stuff
and just in taking information how I understand it,
how it needs to be given to me in order for me to understand things.
It's different to a lot of people. It takes me a little bit longer.
But once I've got it, I've got it, and then it just stays.
Was that difficult during school?
Yeah. Learning in school was very difficult.
But I know I'm smart and I know I CAN do it,
it's just the way I learn is different.
Now 19 years old,
Bryce is fully aware he was exposed to drugs before birth.
Bryce is fully aware Do you ever feel frustration
for your biological parents Do you ever feel frustration
for your biological parents for putting you in this situation?
for your biological parents All the time.
I know some...
I guess in a way they couldn't I know some...
I guess in a way they couldn't control it because of addiction,
I guess in a way they couldn't but it does frustrate me
'cause when I experience issues related to being prenatally exposed,
it...the frustration goes to them
because the only reason that I am it...the frustration goes to them
because the only reason that I am the way I am is because of them.
There's... There's no other place to shift blame.
There's... There's no other place It's at their doing.
What do you think could have been It's at their doing.
What do you think could have been some of the outcomes for you
if you hadn't been placed in Stacy's care
and had such a loving family around you?
Based off some of the friends I've had
who've been in similar situations,
uh...I could have ended up in custody,
could have ended up incarcerated, on drugs,
could have ended up in every bad path that there possibly is.
could have ended up in every I've always been proud of myself
'cause anytime...like, with all the issues that I face,
if I can overcome and adapt to them, then that's an achievement for me.
This is what a journey looks like
when you care for a child who's been prenatally substance exposed.
when you care for a child who's been It's very easy. It's from A to B.
What I've learned over the years
is sometimes it's two steps forward, three steps backwards,
turn around, sit down, touch the ground,
wish you had a drink yourself, and then get up and keep going.
It can be very, very challenging...
Stacy now trains other foster carers
to help them understand what their kids may be going through.
VIDEO: Inside, cells called...
This is what's happening to these unborn infants
as these parts of their brain are developing,
as these parts of their brain so, one of the things...
One of the main frustrations so, one of the things...
One of the main frustrations she hears from carers
is the lack of support for these kids.
Methamphetamine and amphetamine are both on the rise...
Unlike foetal alcohol spectrum disorder,
there's no diagnosis or specific funding for prenatal drug exposure.
there's no diagnosis or specific Well, when I got my son at seven,
he just didn't have the ability to cope at school.
And, so, we're putting him into a situation
that he just did not have the ability to cope in.
It's scary, isn't it? Out of all of the kids in the school,
surely these are the ones that should be...
..we don't have the funding, there's no funding for.
In America, illicit drug use during pregnancy
is considered child abuse in 25 states.
Dozens of women have been prosecuted for neglect or manslaughter.
We work with amazing people...
Kate Alexander from Child Protection We work with amazing people...
Kate Alexander from Child Protection in New South Wales
Kate Alexander from Child Protection says it's a dangerous approach.
I really worry about stigmatisation and criminalisation, says it's a dangerous approach.
I really worry about stigmatisation and criminalisation,
and there's little evidence that it works to reduce drug use.
And what we are on about
in this urgent time for babies
is a reduction in drug use.
To be clear, though, is a reduction in drug use.
To be clear, though, is your department's priority
with the human rights of the pregnant woman
with the human rights or the human rights of the child?
Absolutely my priority's with the safety of the unborn child,
and the person most important to that baby is its mother,
and we need to do everything we can to support that woman to stop using.
The criticism will be, though, that that's a soft touch.
Uh... If... If you saw the way our prenatal case workers
work in a supportive environment with Health at the table,
you would never describe it as a soft touch.
you would never describe it What it is is an ethical approach
where mothers are given all the information they need,
including the dangers to their children,
and it's a harm-minimisation approach.
One of the biggest barriers stopping pregnant women from asking for help
is the fear their baby will be taken away.
Is it conflicting at times in your job
balancing that with the protection of the unborn child?
The protection of children, the safety and wellbeing of children,
The protection of children, the is always our first priority.
But what we've learned
and what's been a really good development in our work
in the last couple of decades
is that the best way to make children safe
is to work with the person most important in the world to them,
and for unborn children that is the mother.
And, so, compassion for the mother is being child-focused.
But they also need clear and urgent advice about their drug-use
But they also need clear and urgent and its impact on their babies.
And we want them to talk and and its impact on their babies.
And we want them to talk and be open with us, not hide from us.
So many of the mums that we're meeting
are telling us that their own mothers also struggled with addiction.
I'm on my way now to meet up with Terrianne,
who's trying to break that cycle with her newborn.
She's really close now to graduating from rehab
and she's allowed out on weekends to set up her new home.
Hello! TERRIANNE: Hello!
Hey, Terrianne. How are you?
I'm good. How are you? Hey, Terrianne. How are you?
I'm good. How are you? I'm good!
Come in. This is your place then?
Come in. This is, yeah.
This is my humble home.
Which one's Lockie's room?
Lockie's room is down here.
Oh, this is, like...
..doesn't even look like his room at the moment.
You're still setting it up? Yeah. Yeah. I am. Yep.
Yeah. Oh, this will be so cute, though.
Yeah. (BABY CRIES)
Yeah. Yep, so, that's...
Moving into her own place is a huge step forward for Terrianne,
who was homeless for part of her pregnancy with Lockie.
Just knowing I've got a home is...a godsend.
Just knowing I've got a home Like, I'm blessed. I really am.
This will be a completely new chapter for you.
Mm. Most definitely. Yeah.
I'm so proud of myself for how far I've come.
I never, ever thought I would make it.
Never, ever thought I would come out of addiction.
Never, ever thought I would have this beautiful child in my arms.
So, yeah, in my eyes I've come really far.
So, yeah, Because you've come so far,
do you get scared Because you've come so far,
do you get scared of losing any of it?
do you get scared No, like, I haven't had any urges,
I haven't had any triggers, I haven't had anything.
I haven't had any triggers, I'm surprising myself, to be honest.
But I've always I'm surprising myself, to be honest.
But I've always gotta keep that in mind,
that anything could happen at any time.
Just be aware of my thoughts and any feelings that go through my body
for a lapse or a relapse.
But I personally, honestly, don't think I will.
But I personally, honestly, I've got too much to lose.
I couldn't think of a day or a night or a minute or an hour
without Lockie.
You know what I mean? Like... Yeah.
It's amazing to see you now. Mm.
I didn't know the Terrianne back then, but...
You wouldn't have wanted to, to be honest.
I was always scared to know what the real me was like.
But, I mean, I'm still in early recovery,
but I like me now.
Like, yeah, I love me.
I've always hated myself. I love myself now. (LAUGHS)
I honestly thought, yeah, it was too late for everything and anything,
I honestly thought, yeah, it was too but it's never too late.
Don't wake up. Nigh-nigh time. (GIGGLES)
Free.
Let's go.
ELVIRA EARTHSTAR: It really matters to look after mums in pregnancy.
ELVIRA EARTHSTAR: It really matters Before a baby is born,
the mum is this baby's entire life-support system,
the mum is this baby's and the more we can support a mum
to reduce or perhaps even stop and the more we can support a mum
to reduce or perhaps even stop her drug use,
the better the outcomes are gonna be for this baby.
It is an excellent form of investment
in the health of future generations
to support women before they are pregnant and during their pregnancy.
I follow the rules!
I'm a rule-follower.
KID: No, you don't. You're a rule-breaker.
KID: No, you don't. It is easier to turn a blind eye
and it's easy to pretend that it doesn't exist.
But these children, their lives matter.
You know, they didn't choose to be born
You know, into the contexts that they have.
So, if we pay attention into the contexts that they have.
So, if we pay attention and we give them what they need
and we support their carers and their parents,
then we're going to have healthy adults contributing to society.
If we don't, then we're gonna be paying for it as a society.
We're gonna have incarcerations, we're gonna have addictions.
We're gonna have incarcerations, It's not a hard fix.
It's investing early on for long-term outcome.
A week after meeting Davida,
she gave birth to a baby boy in the back of an ambulance.
He was in hospital for a couple of weeks,
but has since gone home with Davida.
Alysha has given birth to a baby girl.
She plans on staying in rehab with her and completing the program.
(LAUGHTER, CHATTER)
Thank youse for coming.
I've learned a lot in the 16 weeks,
and I'm just so happy and proud of myself for making it.
And know that you've always got us.
Terrianne recently graduated from Bridgehaven.
This is the beginning of the rest of your life.
She's now living in her new home with Lockie.
She's now living in her new home (APPLAUSE)