Number of babies exposed to drugs and alcohol on the rise in Delaware

WILMINGTON, Del. -- WDEL in Wilmington reported Thursday the state has accounted for 431 cases of drug or alcohol addicted babies born in Delaware last year. That's an increase of more than 100 babies who were exposed to a harmful substance during pregnancy.

To fight the problem, Delaware's Division of Public Health has come up with materials for OB/GYN's on how to screen pregnant women for addiction. The materials also connect the women to treatment and educate them about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Alcohol is the number on cause of preventable birth defects. But marijuana and opioids are also commonly reported substances that babies have been exposed to.

Delaware, like most states, is struggling with an addiction epidemic.

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