NCJ Number
158950
Date Published
1991
Length
152 pages
Annotation
A hearing was held by the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control in July 1991 to consider the exposure of children in schools to drugs and to examine legislative and policy options.
Abstract
The opening statement noted the significant increase in the number of drug-exposed children, with some hospitals reporting over 20 percent of their deliveries are infants who were perinatally exposed to drugs and many schools observing an usually high proportion of kindergarten students who function at low levels and who exhibit behavioral problems. In documenting the extent of the problem, the opening speaker indicated that the number of drug-exposed children born each year ranges from 375,000 to 739,000. The opening speaker also pointed out that schools alone cannot be responsible for curbing the crisis of drug-exposed children. He emphasized that drug treatment for women, especially pregnant women, should be improved and that resources for rehabilitating drug-exposed children should be made available. Hearing witnesses focused on educating young people about the harmful effects of drugs, challenges facing teachers and schools in helping drug-exposed children, legislative and policy options for dealing with the problem, and drug intervention and prevention programs. The health and education needs of both families and children were also addressed at the hearing, as well as the importance of community involvement and research.