Approve Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Child Support Policy NZ “Brighter Future” Campaign 2016

Substance abuse amongst the pregnant women population in New Zealand is steadily reaching an epidemic level, something drastic needs to be sought in order to combat the rising amount of unborn babies with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. These infants are born with severe substance withdrawals, leading to future mental and physical health problems, learning difficulties and are 9 time out of 10, more likely to abuse the drug/s their mother was using while they were a fetus in the womb (Born into suffering: More babies arrive dependent on drugs, 2016). Once these babies have been born, they need medical attention as soon as possible to lessen the withdrawal symptoms and lower the pain the individual is in. As well as immediate attention, the as the infant develops into a child, many learning difficulties and abnormalities can develop as the child does.

This is a serious health issue that needs to be addressed swiftly and solutions must be durable, non discriminatory, aiming to reduce the likelihood of this medical complication arising and population of babies with NAS being lost in the system as just another statistic.

This petition is one of many actions that are taking place in an attempt to inform and change perspectives and attitudes of members of the public, District Health Board leaders and Social Service people to understand how immense this problem is, how relevant it is in today's society and what we can do to support this cause.

A solution, in terms of policy change on this topic would be to push the government to support babies born with NAS, through public healthcare services, from as soon as they leave the care of medical professionals (newborn) to 20 years of age. This policy would entitle the child to constant support as they grow and develope, from counselling, learning support through the education system to job support and rehab facilities. The idea behind this campaign "Brighter Future", is to provide assistance to those who are most vulnerable in our society, decrease the rate of drug abuse and a reoccurance of these events happening in the future. This policy does not include handing out financial support, rather introducing the use of public services, support groups and charities. To be able to utisilte these support systems, the individual MUST be registered and MUST be presented with correct information and medical diagnosis.

This may be seen as a win, win for both parties (parents, babies and the New Zealand Government) as the child would have to be registered in a system, managed by the New Zealand Ministry of Health, by keeping track of these individuals and the statistics of the country, the Ministry of Health NZ would be able to combat this issue more easily.