Pregnant rangatahi have disclosed over the years that drug and alcohol addiction was happening prior to becoming pregnant. With education on how the placenta (whenua) works through wānanga education they understood the effect on their pēpi. These addictions may include increased risk of respiratory problems,
mood and other mental health problems, as well as financial and other social problems. AOD is often used, mixed with tobacco, and the harm associated with tobacco in pregnancy is hugely considerable.
While not clearly established, there is evidence from some studies of a risk of later developmental problems in babies born to alcohol, synthetic drug and cannabis dependent mothers. These include memory and thinking difficulties and an increased risk of ADHD.
There is also some evidence that babies exposed to drugs and alcohol in the womb might have a higher risk of mental health problems in later life and also be more prone to drug and alcohol dependence themselves. Young women’s drinking does not happen in isolation. It is shaped by their social, environmental and cultural context. In Aotearoa, this context includes the normalisation of alcohol consumption within our culture, particularly at social events. Utilising indigenous gathering like wānanga to educate, empower and enable informed decision making guided by mātauranga Māori will make generational change over time.
