In 2017 alone, four children were born to mothers who battled drug addiction, according to the Division of Youth Services.<\/p>\n
The trend was first noticed in 2014 when one child was reported being born with drug-use related defects. The trend started to grow with two children reported in 2015 having drug-use related defects. In 2016, five infants were reported to DYS with drug-use related birth defects. <\/p>\n
This year, already four children showed signs of birth defects caused by drug use, based on DYS numbers. <\/p>\n
DYS Child Protective Unit supervisor Julian Camacho said the division is authorized to take custody of children born to drug-addicted mothers. So far, nine children are under the division\u2019s care, he said.<\/p>\n
According to Camacho, the process is long but it is necessary for the wellbeing of the child. <\/p>\n
The process starts after receiving a report of a child born with drug-related defects. Once the child is taken into the care of the division, the mother will be taken to court. The trial could last for as long as a month, according to Camacho. The child remains in the care of the division for the duration of the trial. <\/p>\n
According to Camacho, once full custody of the child has been granted to the division, the child is put into a kinship program established by the division. The kinship program is a foster care program that ensures that the child is placed in an environment that is free of drugs. <\/p>\n
Camacho said even though the child is living with another family, DYS is still in custody of the child. <\/p>\n
The division continuously checks up on each child in the program and sets up appointments for each child in order to undergo treatment for the drug-related defects. <\/p>\n
According to Camacho, the division takes care of the children\u2019s treatments. <\/p>\n
According to a previous Saipan Tribune article, drug-related birth defects include premature delivery, displacement of the placenta, small weight and height of the infant, lethargy, heart and brain abnormalities, and neurobehavioral problems.<\/p>\n
Children born with these birth defects are prone to die due to sudden infant death syndrome, slow growth, constant admission to the intensive care unit, and an unstable home environment. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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