Suffolk, Nassau Lawmakers To Team Up To Fight Heroin Addiction In Pregnant Women

SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Lawmakers in Suffolk County are calling for more rehabilitation centers for pregnant mothers who are addicted to heroin.

As WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported, the treatment center in Dix Hills for pregnant mothers addicted to heroin is only one of a few on Long Island.

With the number of expectant moms addicted to the drug on the rise, Suffolk County Legislative Presiding Officer Duwayne Gregory said more needs to be done.

"You don't want someone who is seeking help but doesn't have access to the treatment. That would just be horrendous outcome," he said.

Gregory told Hall the Legislature plans to work with lawmakers in Nassau County to tackle the problem.

"If a baby gets addicted, they're addicted for life; very similar to if you're an alcoholic, you're an alcoholic for life," Gregory said.

Suffolk lawmakers said they're alarmed by new statistics showing that last year, 171 babies were born addicted to drugs in the county as well as 53 in Nassau County.