The number of babies affected by maternal drug use has reached a three year high across Grampian, latest figures have revealed.
Between 2010/11 and 2012/13, some 185 new-born babies were affected by their mother’s drug abuse, a higher number than the previous two years.
According to the report from ISD Scotland, the rate per 1,000 live births is 10.0, considerably higher than the Scottish average of 5.9.
Between 2008/09 and 2010/11 the rate was 8.7, while in 2009/10 – 2011/12, the rate dropped to 8.1 before rising to the latest high.
In total, 1,013 babies born across Scotland were affected by maternal drug use between 2010-2013.
Dr Nanette Milne,Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East and Shadow Minister for Public Health said:
“This is a very worrying figure because clearly Grampian is experiencing a real problem with this very serious issue.
“Maternal drug use means new born children may be disadvantaged from the moment they are born and this is unacceptable.
“Every incident represents a blighted life and everything must be done to address this reality.
“The SNP have disgracefully dropped the ball when it comes to this issue and so I urge the Scottish Government to do all it can to address the problem across Grampian.
“More needs to be done to tackle the root causes of this problem so newly born children do not start life off at such a major disadvantage.”