Unfortunately, drug addiction and babies do not mix well.  According to Project Prevention, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that pays drug addicts $300 cash to take long-term birth control (either an IUD or arm implant) of their choice:

«Each year, women in the United States give birth to nearly half a million babies who have been exposed to illicit drugs in utero. These infants are more likely to be born prematurely and have low birth weight as well as other medical complications at birth.»

In addition to suffering from medical conditions, such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, children who are left with their drug addict parents often fall victim to their erratic and abusive behavior.

Project Prevention sites the following statistics:

«The number of child deaths per day due to child abuse and neglect have risen from 3.33 in 1995 to 4.82 in 2007.»

«A report of child abuse is made every ten seconds.»

«Almost five children die everyday as a result of child abuse. Three out of four are under the age of 4.»

And the child’s struggle doesn’t stop with their parents.  These children frequently develop serious emotional and behavior problems that often lead to them abusing drugs and alcohol themselves later in life.

If the child is placed in foster care instead of living with their drug addict parents, the situation is not much brighter.

«There is currently a shortage of foster parents trained to care for medically fragile infants, many of whom have been exposed to alcohol or drugs in utero.  These children often move from one foster home to the next in search of parents with the patience and skill needed to care for them.»

Why not stop this sad cycle before it begins?

Project Prevention pays drug addicts $300 cash to take long-term birth control, such as an IUD or arm implant.  By taking long-term birth control, the drug addict gets a chance to control their life.  With long-term birth control, they get to control if and when they have children.

«Project Prevention has prevented a minimum of 3,600 infants from being conceived saving taxpayers an estimated 543 million dollars. That is money that could be used for drug treatment, education, or other positive programs.»

Source of information above:
http://www.projectprevention.org/the-sad-reality/
http://www.connectforkids.org/node/57#parents
http://www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics#abuse-substances