A number of services in Luxembourg support those seeking to change their lives and find the path out of addiction. They help women who are expecting and will do what it takes to keep the baby.
This particular topic was covered in an extensive report on Wednesday evening (see video - Luxembourgish). The staff at the “Service Parentalité” of the Jugend an Drogenhëllef (Youth and Drug Relief - JDH) are the first place of contact for pregnant women who have a substance addiction.
In 2017 they treated 10 pregnancies, however there have been years where there have been as many as 25 cases.
The organisation was founded due to the large number of cases within the country. What often happens is that once the individuals in programs such as the Methadone-program start regaining more control and leading more structured lives, they suddenly find themselves expecting.
The important work of JDH psychologists and social workers is undertaken at the city centre maternity ward – a collaboration that runs smoothly, with many positive results. Probably the most important task of a lifetime is prepared before the birth with the special care continuing well on afterwards. Then onto a so-called “kangaroo station” – babies don’t always need to go through rehab.
If cooperation with the mother is unsuccessful, then more intervention is necessary. Periodically, babies need to be taken into care. This happened five times in 2018. Clearly this is a difficult decision for doctors to take, however at this point in time, the life of the child takes priority! Nevertheless, there are a number of happier scenarios where the mothers – or couples – who manage to triumph over their addiction and watch their children grow.
In the report: one mother who went through this particular experience explains her ordeal. Understandably, she wanted to stay anonymous in order to protect herself and her child. The path back to “normal” life is anything but easy, especially when your past tries to catch up with you and society often brands you as an ex-junkie, making things difficult for both mother and child.
After the exposé there is an interview with Jean-Nico Pierre, director of the Jugend an Drogenhëllef foundation. (both videos in Luxembourgish)
