It's a problem that's killing more Kentuckians every year. Today Governor Beshear introduced new legislation aimed at cutting down on the problem of prescription pills. Here in Lexington. one program sees first hand the effects of drug abuse. The Chrysalis House has worked for years to help women recover from addiction, including expecting mother's and their unborn children.
"What was your drug of choice? Pain pills," said Laura. For her own protection we will only use her first name. "I started using at 11-years-old," said Laura. Now 28, she's pregnant with her second child.
"There's many times I've overdosed and almost died," she said. After eight-months in jail. A chance trip to Lexington's Chrysalis House, gave Laura, and her unborn daughter a fighting change. "I realized at this point, this disease is going to kill me, I need help," she said.
The Chrysalis House has served hundreds of women and children over the years. "We prioritize admissions for pregnant women because we want to intervene as early in the pregnancy as possible," said Dr. Carmella Yates. Dr. Yates is the Clinical Director at the center, she and her staff help women like Laura, and others, get clean.
"Our goal of course is to get the woman off drugs, so there's no longer that direct effect of drugs on the child," she said. Last year alone (2011) 28 babies were born to women at the Chrysalis House, giving the baby and their mother's a second change at life. "Yes, this program probably saved my life and his," said Erin. Erin, 24, gave birth to her son, Jayden, now two-months-old, while living in one of the apartments on site.
She says her wake-up call came, while sitting in jail, several months before Jayden was born. "I had to withdrawal, kind of cold turkey, and I felt him withdrawing with me. That kind of sealed the deal for me," she said. The Chrysalis House, assists women, during and after pregnancy, until they become self-sufficient mother's.
"There is a better way, I've never felt so good in my life," said Laura. In the most recent study, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, reported almost 4,500 pregnant women surveyed said they used drugs or alcohol at least once in the past 30-days.