‘Nobody Wants To Touch A Pregnant Woman With An Addiction Issue’
Amanda Hensley's struggle to get clean while pregnant is just one of thousands of stories of women of child-bearing age grappling with the growing epidemic of substance abuse that is sweeping the country. Researchers estimate that every 25 minutes a baby was born dependent on opioids in 2012, the most recent year for which data are available.
Kaiser Health News:
Pregnant And Addicted: The Tough Road To A Healthy Family
Amanda Hensley started abusing prescription painkillers when she was just a teenager. For years, she managed to function and hold down jobs. She even quit opioids for a while when she was pregnant with her now 4-year-old son. But she relapsed. Hensley says she preferred drugs like Percocet and morphine, but opted for heroin when short on cash. By the time she discovered she was pregnant last year, she couldn't quit. (Tribble, 3/30)
Meanwhile, a new Florida law allows pharmacists to prescribe anti-overdose medication and police officers in New Hampshire fight against a law that would allow people to drop off heroin and other illegal drugs at stations —
The Orlando Sentinel:
New Law Allows Pharmacists To Sell Drug That Reverses Heroin Overdose Without Doctor Rx
You can now obtain naloxone, a medicine that reverses heroin overdose, from pharmacies without a doctor's prescription, thanks to a bill that Gov. Rick Scott signed into law on Friday. "Expanded naloxone pharmacy access is good public health policy that will save lives," said Dr. Kevin Sherin, director of Orange County health department. "I commend the governor and the Legislature for acting quickly." (Miller, 3/27)
New Hampshire Public Radio:
N.H. Cops: Legalizing Drug Turn-In Would Make Our Jobs Harder
Law enforcement officials are pushing back against a bill that allows people to drop off illegal drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, and drug paraphernalia at police stations. Currently police stations accept unused prescription drugs in designed drop boxes. (Sutherland, 3/29)
