The study by Lustbader and colleagues1 in this month's Pediatrics electronic pages confirms what many have known for a long time: the epidemic of substance abuse that has been the constant companion of this country for the last two decades continues to broaden its impact on the lives of children. Although we have recognized the effects of substance abuse on children prenatally exposed to illicit drugs and alcohol2-5 and the problem of adolescent substance abuse,6 7 the impact of a family's drug and alcohol use on infants and young children has eluded discussion. The “new morbidity” described by Haggerty, Roghmann, and Pless8 in 1975 has taken a new twist as drugs have incipiently invaded children's lives. We face a not unique problem, however, for again our need for public health policy has outstripped the scientific information available to guide that policy.
The most recent data from...
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