More than 1,600 babies suffering from drug dependence

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today said that his party will continue to deliver transformational action to end Scotland’s drugs emergency, as he revealed that more than 1,600 babies have spent the first days of their lives withdrawing from drugs.

Scottish Liberal Democrat freedom of information requests show that over the past eight years at least 1,633 babies have received treatment for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), after showing signs of drug addiction due to their mothers taking legal or illegal drugs during pregnancy.

Between 2017 and 2025, the health boards reporting the most cases were NHS Lothian with 853, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde with 229 and NHS Grampian with 219.

The symptoms of NAS, caused by drugs passing from the mother to her foetus’ bloodstream during pregnancy, include uncontrollable trembling, hyperactivity, blotchy skin and high pitch crying.

Earlier this year, Scottish Liberal Democrats secured support from the Scottish Government for a new facility to help mothers and NAS-affected babies.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“It is difficult to imagine a worse start to life than a newborn suffering from drug dependency. These figures are a devastating, but important reminder of the dreadful harms caused by Scotland’s drugs emergency- a crisis that has exploded on the SNP’s watch.

“By Nicola Sturgeon’s own admission, the SNP took their “eye off the ball” and after the cuts she unleashed, services have been struggling to cope.

“That’s why my party were pleased to secure additional support that will deliver a new recovery service for mothers and their babies in this year’s budget. However, there is still a long way to go.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have a realistic plan to deliver the first-rate drug services this country deserves, including a network of safer drug consumption rooms and investment in the local services best placed to stop people dying. No matter where you live, everyone in Scotland can vote for that plan next May by backing us on your second, peach ballot paper.”