Women drug abuse in Europe : Gender identity - Irefrea

pregnancy and the ensuing consequences for the child of the drug addict (VennerFourest, 1998).In Germany it has been estimated that there are approximately 40,000 – 50,000children of female drug addicts. If, however, the figure is considered in relationship tothe presence of drug addiction of not only the woman but also of the father, the figurerises to approximately 2,000,000 children with a drug addicted parent (Leopold Steffan,1997).International literature has repeatedly reported the negative effects that the abuse ofdrugs, alcohol, pharmaceuticals and nicotine have on the foetus – above all,dependence, slower growth, a higher frequency of premature births and a highermortality rate (Enrion, 1995).In particular, taking into consideration the heavy use of psycho-pharmaceuticals bythe European female population, the necessity of a more adequate programme ofsensitization and prevention on the subject is underlined since it is generally not wellknown (Venner, Fourest, 1998).Furthermore, the analysis of the empirical research available on this subject alsohighlights how the major problems reported by the women are not so much related tothe pregnancy but rather to the consequences for the child. This is, above all, becausein pregnant drug addicts it is alarming to note that they lack a realistic perception of thehigher risks related to pregnancy and the consequences for their child.Although there is a lack of up-to-date and thorough studies analysing thedevelopment of the child of a drug addicted mother, the differences that have beennoted concern mainly the language, the body growth and motility. Nevertheless, theyall seem to agree that there is a normal physical development after the first year of life.It is, however, of interest to note, as corroborated by certain French studies, theimportance of also taking into consideration the middle – and long-term risks, that is,those related to the environment and life-style beyond and rather than those derived bythe use of the substance (Benassouli, 1993).There is a higher risk, also of consumption, for children coming from families withproblems of dependence between the different generations and the importance offorming a correct relationship between mother and child is highlighted to favour thesocial and affective development of the child.Thus, in this context, the importance of an adequate and more incisive interventionon behalf of the Services should be underlined. This should be aimed not only at thewell-being of the child but should also try to sensitise the parents to the possibledamage that drug abuse has on the child.The problem of maternity is dealt with in more or less the same depth in allEuropean countries concerning the implications for treatment. Indeed, pregnancyfrequently represents a moment in which there is a reduction in risk behaviour so that50