MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Babies born addicted to drugs is a growing problem in Shelby County.
A Frayser mother was arrested Wednesday, May 30, charged with reckless endangerment after her daughter was born addicted to cocaine.
29-year-old Lavare White is just the latest Shelby County mother who went from the hospital room to a jail cell. According to police, she admitted to using cocaine two days before her baby was born.
Baptist Women's Hospital Pediatric Doctor Jeanine Hogg says, "It's a problem in any major city where drug use is in the population, females are going to get pregnant, it's always an issue for the children."
Dr. Hogg says she sees too many infants born in withdrawal. "In general any time you see an increase in using drugs you'll see an increase in the number of infants exposed to drugs during pregnancy."
Just this year, White is the third mother abc24.com has reported on whose baby was born addicted to cocaine. Ora Boler was arrested in January. Police say her most recent baby was her fourth born with a drug addiction.
Hogg says drug use not only increases the risk of premature birth, it also long lasting problems for the child.
She said it can cause "problems with lung development, brain development, issues with growth and development later in life, particularly with cocaine issues that can be long term effects, not just short term withdrawal."
One of the biggest problems in Tennessee is babies born addicted to prescription drugs. Tennessee ranks among the top states for prescription drug abuse.
