Almost 1400 Scots babies born hooked on drugs since 2017 as politicians told to 'shoulder blame'
dailyrecord.co.ukPoliticians have been told to “shoulder blame” after it was revealed almost 1400 babies have been born dependent on substances since 2017.
Freedom of information data obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats showed the number of newborns diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) increased to 195 in 2023/24, from 186 in 2022/23.
Figures have fluctuated since 2017/18, when they reached a high of 243, with 1363 babies diagnosed in total since then. The syndrome occurs when babies have been exposed to drugs such as opioids while in the womb, with withdrawal symptoms possible after birth.
Symptoms include uncontrollable trembling, hyperactivity, blotchy skin and high-pitched crying.In the six-year period, NHS Lothian recorded the most cases with 692, followed by Grampian’s 209 and Greater Glasgow and Clyde with 201.Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the Scottish Government must commit to improving drug and alcohol services. “Drug deaths make the headlines but, in a host of other ways, drug misuse can make lives a misery,” he added.“There is perhaps no more awful start for a newborn baby than to be born dependent on drugs.
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