Methadone Clinic Proposal Approved

[fishdc]

It is not a good idea to place a clinic in a tourist area. It attracts a bad crowd of people and is seedy and unsafe. These clinics are a joke, for a profit and the people do not want to stop the drug. I am a Maternity nurse and these methadone mothers come in pregnant and deliver these poor drug addicted babies, yes, methadone is very addicting for the baby, and these poor babies suffer will all kinds of withdrawal symptoms and pain. The mothers are all on welfare, so we are paying for this and the babies have to be in special care nurseries for up to 3 months to be weaned off of the methadone and we pay for that too. They know they should not be getting pregnant while on methadone and they do not care. Very selfish and irresponsible and it costs all of us a fortune.

[Nadia]

Originally Posted by fishdc

It is not a good idea to place a clinic in a tourist area. It attracts a bad crowd of people and is seedy and unsafe. These clinics are a joke, for a profit and the people do not want to stop the drug. I am a Maternity nurse and these methadone mothers come in pregnant and deliver these poor drug addicted babies, yes, methadone is very addicting for the baby, and these poor babies suffer will all kinds of withdrawal symptoms and pain. The mothers are all on welfare, so we are paying for this and the babies have to be in special care nurseries for up to 3 months to be weaned off of the methadone and we pay for that too. They know they should not be getting pregnant while on methadone and they do not care. Very selfish and irresponsible and it costs all of us a fortune.

I have seen this brought up many times and although this area is largely tourism, it is also largely residential and is continually growing. Although I do not agree with Methadone usage during pregnancy, I must say that I think it is better for Mother and Baby to be exposed to one drug under medical supervision, then the Mother abusing a multitude of drugs in ranging doses to feed her addiction. Becoming pregnant does not shut the addiction switch off. Although many drug addicted women are able to "clean up their act" during pregnancy, and even thereafter, many are not. Addiction is an evil, ugly disease that is much stronger than any other desire. One drug under medical supervision has to be healthier then an out of control habit. When faced with two evils I respect someone for choosing the lesser. They know they can't clean themselves up, they admit they are weak, and do what they and Doctors think is best for their child. I also find your post a bit dismaying...sorry. If I were pregnant and using methadone, I would feel very discouraged after reading your post. I hope no mother who is/was pregnant and uses/used methadone ever reads that. Not everyone who seeks treatment is on welfare. Some of the smartest, brightest, successful people I have met battle with addiction.

Secondly, I have given birth to a child so I am qualified to say...during my entire pregnancy, during labor, and afterward I had more Doctor's, Nurses, and Psychologist's trying to stuff pills down my throat. Trying to get me to take anti-depressants for "post-partum" depression (that I did not even have), trying to pump me full of Pitocin, Nubain, Morphine, Phenargan, Anxiety Medications and so forth? But Methadone is unsafe? I'm confused...