When I first started at Maddie’s Place, I had no idea what I was getting into.
Growing up, conversation of substance abuse was limited to the cliché statement, “Don’t do drugs.” However, I have quickly learned that behind the flippancy of that comment is a severe crisis controlling the lives of millions.
As of late, there is one drug in particular that has taken the world by storm. That drug is fentanyl.
Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin, and 100 times stronger than morphine.
A synthetic form of the medically-used drug, is illicitly manufactured in China, Mexico, and India, and then sold on the streets of U.S. cities.
Fentanyl typically laces other drugs, leaving users clueless as to how much they are taking.
It is now the leading cause of overdose deaths in the country.
In Washington State alone, the crisis is alarmingly severe.
A recent Inlander article reported that the state had surpassed all others in overdose deaths by 21% .
In Spokane County alone, there has been a “186% increase in fentanyl-related overdoses between 2020 and 2021 and a 1233% increase in fentanyl-related overdoses from 2017-2021” (United States Drug Enforcement Administration).
I had no idea.
Working reception at Maddie’s Place opened a whirlwind of conversations that painted a picture of the nature of addiction.
I would liken addiction to a raging wildfire. One lick of flame, and a furious blaze ravages everything in sight. It takes a village to tame. Just so, once a drug has got its hold on you, it is nearly impossible to just quit.
Very few have access to the resources, care, and support necessary to extinguish the flame. And when a woman finds herself pregnant, her needs and then the needs of her baby rise exponentially.
The medical term for babies experiencing withdrawal upon birth is Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.
In other words, if a mother was under the influence during her pregnancy, upon birth, the child would experience an array of symptoms including tremors, inconsolable crying, intestinal problems, and many others.
Because babies experience rapid growth and development upon birth, they could also be prone to lifelong developmental issues if untreated.
That’s a lot to take in.
This problem might feel very overwhelming and hopeless to you. It certainly breaks my heart.
But what a gift to witness a glimmer of hope through the doors of Maddie’s Place.
Out of what felt like nowhere, there was an answer. In my short time here, I’ve seen the entire course of babies’ lives change through the nurturing care of our staff.
In almost one year, Maddie’s Place has served 43 babies and 24 of their moms, providing the care and support for another chance at normal life. In almost one year, our staff has moved from 5 to 50. In almost one year, we have expanded our capacity from 8 babies to 16.
We have witnessed the community come together to keep us afloat, and elected officials fight for the rights of these babies.
I see hope for the helpless, a lifeline for a healthy future, a second chance for mothers and their children. What do you see?
Questions? Suggestions? Email me at emma.jones@maddiesplace.org
This blog was posted on August 15, 2023.