More than 1,300 babies in Scotland are born dependent on drugs in only seven years, official figures have shown.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats compiled data through a Freedom of Information request showing 1,363 babies were born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) since 2017.
Neonatal abstinence syndrome occurs when babies have been exposed to drugs such as opioids while in the womb.
The infants possibly face withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Humza Yousaf’s party has overseen the crisis
PA
However, the total figure also included children addicted to legal substances.
Symptoms can include uncontrollable trembling, hyperactivity, blotchy skin and high-pitch crying.
NHS Lothian recorded 692 cases, NHS Grampian registered 209 and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde listed 201.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the SNP Government should “shoulder some of the blame” after introducing budget cuts to drugs and alcohol services.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
A drug user prepares heroin before injecting
GETTY
He added: “Drug deaths make the headlines but, in a host of other ways, drug misuse can make lives a misery.
“There is perhaps no more awful start for a newborn baby than to be born dependent on drugs. The Scottish Government needs to shoulder some of the blame.
“The cuts they delivered meant drug and alcohol services closed their doors and valuable expertise was lost.”
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who announced her resignation in February, pledged to tackle drug-use a “national mission” but conceded Holyrood took its “eye off the ball”.
Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton
GETTY
There were some 900 suspected drug deaths between January and September 2023.
The figure constitutes a 13 per cent increase from the same period in the previous year.
Elena Whitham, the SNP’s Drug Policy Minister, said: “No newborn baby should be born dependent on substances and mothers should be able to get the help they need, free from judgment and stigma.
“We are increasing investment in local services and providing support to women and families as part of our national mission, backed by £250million, to tackle the drug deaths emergency.”
Whitham also stressed there had been a 67 per cent real term drug policy funding increase between 2014/15 and 2023/24.
