CENTRAL NEW YORK – Health officials say a record number of babies are born addicted to prescription drugs and opioids in Central New York.
Members from Senator Charles Schumer’s office say in the past three years, that number has more than doubled.
Schumer visited Crouse Hospital Wednesday and said he is committed to help. He asked lawmakers to direct money toward fighting the drug-dependent baby crisis.
Doctors say there are about 30 babies born per month at the Crouse Hospital who are exposed to drugs and might be at risk.
They say it is becoming an epidemic.
“If you look, you take care of the moms and babies and you can have better outcomes,” said Dr. Michelle Bode, Crouse Hospital Neonatologist. “And that really is the goal here is to look to ask, to treat and as Senator Schumer said, educate. Well we need to kind of do that along with it all to help bring it our of the epidemic state.”
Schumer is asking the Department of Health to take money already designated to fighting the heroine epidemic and direct it toward newborns.