Some Facts

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Approximately 200, 000 Canadian women aged 15 years or older experienced symptoms consistent with alcohol or illicit drug dependence (Canadian Community Health Survey, 2002).

Data from two large-scale Canadian studies indicate approximately 20% of newborns have prenatal exposure to alcohol.

Background

The goal of Connections research is to improve services for women with substance use issues and their children in Canada.

Children born to women who used substances during pregnancy are at greater risk for health and developmental problems.

Women who continue to use substances after childbirth may have diminished capacity for parenting and have their own social and health problems.

Evaluations of model treatment programs recommend that programs address women's social and mental health issues and their children's needs through parenting programs and child development services.

The level of integration of health and social service delivery systems for women and children is highly variable across Canada. Some service delivery systems have fully integrated services for child development, parenting, and addiction while others have non-integrated, separate services. There are some systems where services are either limited or non-existent.

Researchers and stakeholders in the addictions field have identified deficiencies in information on decision-maker preferences and capacity for receiving and using research evidence.