Effects of Cocaine On the Child Essay Example

to "pleasure users" facing social stigma and an increase in criminal violence associated with cocaine use. By 1903, legal regulations made purchasing cocaine difficult and it was removed from Coca Cola. Over time, public opinion became more fearful and disapproving of both the drug and those who used it, causing cocaine to become an underground phenomenon until its resurgence in the late 1970s as a snuffing powder for wealthy individuals.

The media was once again promoting cocaine as an effortless means of gaining confidence and fearlessness, especially among the affluent. However, history repeated itself with the reappearance of negative consequences stemming from cocaine abuse – including seizures and sudden death. As reports highlighted these tragedies, individuals from all backgrounds became aware of the realities of addiction. It wasn't until 1985 that significant research on the impacts of cocaine abuse during pregnancy emerged, revealing a rise in spontaneous abortions, premature labor, growth retardation and other severe issues for children born to users.

Although the reports of neonatal neurological damage caused by cocaine exposure had limitations and methodological issues, they were widely accepted among both scientists and the general public. This may be because, despite their flaws, the findings seemed reasonable given what is known about cocaine's impact on adult users. In addition, the article discusses how the media portrayed and perceived the world of cocaine in the years after these reports were released.

As time passed, media coverage shifted from being upbeat and optimistic to somber and negative. Newspapers and news channels began incorporating 'crack babies' - infants in critical conditions due to their exposure to cocaine while inside their mother's womb - into their bulletins with accompanying imagery.

Consequently, the public's emotions transformed into fury, as they called for action towards those who provided drugs. Their anger didn't end there; they also held mothers who consumed drugs responsible and viewed them as immoral.

The delivery of cocaine to a fetus through the umbilical cord led to women being prosecuted in certain states for providing drugs to minors. Some believed this was excessive, particularly those who offered assistance to addicts. These individuals believed that rehabilitation, not incarceration, was the appropriate solution for these women. While the media and general population reacted strongly, substance abuse experts were experiencing a time of uncertainty.

One group believed the use of drugs during pregnancy, including cocaine, was terrifying while another group observed exposed babies in their units without severe toxic effects. The media had a crucial role in shaping public opinion on this issue.

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...Lutiger et al and their meta-analysis have been the subject of studies.

Using a statistical analysis, He compared four groups by analyzing reports collected until 1989. His meta-analysis process combined the findings of Richardson and Day's interviews. The interviews revealed concerns about the prosecution of women for drug use.

Instead of focusing on individual differences, researchers investigated group differences and found that mild drug use during pregnancy does not significantly impact neonatal behavior or motor activities. Neuspiel et al. cautioned against relying solely

on structured interviews as they are co-created by both the interviewer and interviewee, leading to potential biases in data interpretation. To mitigate this issue, researchers should acknowledge the various factors that may have influenced the interviewee's response beyond their actual understanding of a topic.

A recent study observed cocaine-exposed newborns and found that they had a higher incidence of obstetric complications, smaller head circumference, more withdrawal symptoms, and were slower to habituate (Eisen, Field, Bandstra, Roberts, Morrow, Larson ; Steele, 1991). A separate pilot study conducted by Larson and Field (1989) found that cocaine-exposed infants had a parasympathetic-sympathetic imbalance indicated by depressed vagal tone.

Considering the existing literature that links low vagal tone with lower developmental scores during infancy, there is a possibility of cognitive development delays for such individuals. Furthermore, studies showed that newborns exposed to cocaine had depressed dopamine levels. This is significant because dopamine depletion has been associated with habituation disturbances in rats, and both habituation deficits and dopamine depletion were observed in cocaine-exposed infants.

According to reports, some infants have shown unsatisfactory performance on the Brazelton scale during the first month of their lives. This includes weaker motor responses, lower autonomic regulation, and more abnormal reflexes (Coles et al., 1991). The terms "excitable" and "depressed," as well as "overstimulated" and "underaroused," have been used to describe infants exposed to cocaine (Lester, Corwin, Sepkoski, Seiper, Peucker, McLaughlin, ; Golub, 1991; Singer, Farkas, ; Kliegman, 1992). Lester et al. also observed these effects.

Several studies have explored the effects of cocaine exposure on infants. In 1991, one study identified two types of cries: high-intensity/high-frequency and lower intensity. Another study in 1989 found that cocaine-exposed infants were highly

aroused and more likely to seek additional stimulation by looking in the direction of high-intensity sounds. Additionally, cocaine-exposed infants had delays in motor development in later infancy according to a study by Chasnoff, Bussey, Savich, and Stack in 1986. Schneider's study in 1988 reported that these infants had significantly poorer scores on muscle tone, primitive reflexes, and volitional movement. Furthermore, 43% of these infants were at high risk for motor development delays and dysfunction. Finally, another study in 1989 found that toddlers who were prenatally exposed to drugs had difficulty modulating arousal and abnormal emotional responses.

When attachment figures were absent, these young children did not exhibit the expected distress responses, as an example.
A comparison study on elementary school children included those who had been exposed to cocaine and those with ADHD; the former group were observed to display more disruptive classroom behaviors such as fidgeting, zoning out, engaging in off-task activities, seeking attention, displaying noncompliant behavior towards teachers, and demonstrating aggression towards peers (Field, 1994). Their scores on the Achenbach and Conners assessments indicated more externalizing problems and were within the clinical range while also having high scores on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.