Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #113292

Barbara May, BSN, MPH¹, Judy Donlen, RN, DNSc, JD¹, Sandra Schwarz, RNC, MS², Margaret Gray, RN, MSN², and Elizabeth Dahms, MS, RNC². (1) Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, 2500 McClellan Ave, Pennsauken, NJ 08109, (856) 665-6000, bmay@snjpc.org, (2) Reproductive and Perinatal Health Services, NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, 50 East State Street, 6th Floor, Trenton, NJ 08625-0364

Every year in New Jersey, more than 10% of babies are exposed to drugs and alcohol during pregnancy. Their mothers are represented equally across all ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic groups. The personal, social and economic harm caused by prenatal drug and alcohol exposure can be prevented if women have access to the care and support they need. New Jersey established an important, statewide initiative to implement a uniform screening tool, the 4 P's Plus, to improve the identification of substance using pregnant women. With funding from NJ Health Initiatives/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative collaborated with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and the regional Maternal and Child Health Consortia to carry out the initiative. Staff collected data concerning perinatal substance use and the outcome of screening and referral for prevention and treatment services. These data can be used to: 1) conduct regional and statewide assessment and planning with key stakeholders, including consumers, 2) inform policy decisions regarding prevention and treatment services for drug affected pregnant women and infants, and 3) support the need for consumer education concerning the effects of perinatal substance abuse. The presenter will share summary data and lessons learned during implementation of the uniform screening tool.

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