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Show Also in this section: it ifestyle Foods C2 Sports C4-u Comics C7 U 6 Abandoned babies victims of cocaine By BRYNA BREXNAN Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) Sev- en newborns sleeping, lie swaddled in pink and blue blankets and tucked into bassinets in a hospital nursery. Six were born to mothers addicted to crack cocaine and then abandoned. In the same pale yellow room with green curtains, a girl smiles and gurgles in a swing near two children in playpens. They, too, are "boarder babies," whose addicted mothers abandoned them. Hospital officials say boarder babies like these at Howard University Hospital are taking up space that could be used for treating sick children. "Sometimes there's not a vacant bed in neonatal intensive care between Richmond and Philadelphia," says hospital director Dr. Haynes Rice. "See that," he says, pointing to the baby in the swing, right next to the infants. "You shouldn't have them with newborns. But what can do?" The material cost for dealing with these children is high from $750 a day to $1,768. The physical and psychological price is immeasurable. Statistics gathered by the ... 375,000 newborns a year may be harmed by drug exposure and last year 11 percent of pregnant women used drugs. House Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families suggest that 375,000 newborns a year may be harmed by drug exposure and that last year percent of pregnant 11 women used drugs. Although hospital officials say the number of boarder babies is growing, the problem is so recent that nation- statistics aren't available. There's not even a standard definition, although Rice defines boarder babies as infants who are ready for discharge but have not had a parental visit for 30 days. A recent visit to the Howard hospital found 21 of the wide abandoned children. They ap- peared healthy, although some had been born drug-addicte- d. we "Healthy is a word I'd be careful about using with these Rice children," says. "They're not sick, but some of them will have problems later on. We're told these babies will have problems for the rest of their lives." Two of the recent infants tested HIV positive, meaning they carry the virus believed to cause AIDS. In the typical case, a multiple drug user gives birth, stays for three days and goes, leaving behind what Rice y calls "these little itty-bitt- ones." "They just leave and you never know if they plan to abandon the baby." The sign on the nursery door says: "Daily visiting hours restricted between 10 a.m. and 12 noon." But the only visitors many of the infants have are the busy nurses who tend to them when they can. On another floor, an boy, the oldest boarder baby at the hospital, sits in a carriage eating ice cream in a pediatrics ward covered with wallpaper of clowns and Raggedy Anns. The nurses call him by his name, Terrail, but to hospital officials he is "Baby 3." A sick child wails in the background. Terrail is not ill but already is developmentally handicapped by a life spent entirely in the hospital. The shortage of staff means he can't crawl and play as youngsters his age normally would, and the nurses say he hasn't taken any steps toward walking. "It's wrong for a baby to be in a hospital for a year and not sick," Rice says. Hospitals must swallow the cost of caring for the boarder babies, an expense that eventually is passed along to the public through higher fees and insurance premiums. Meanwhile, hospitals appeal to the welfare bureacracy to find homes for the children. Nationally, boarder babies' fates varies by circumstance and jurisdiction. After 11 months, Terrail has not been placed for adoption or foster care. After 30 days the Howard hospital notifies the District of Columbia Department of Human Services about the abandoned But the children. babies wait as forms are and filled are papers processed. Parents should have rights, too Dear Ann Landers: After en years of watching our daughter lead a wild, life that went against everything she was taught at home, I had to admit that I was becoming an alcoholic trying to escape the misery she ve was causing. I took your advice and went for counseling. This is what I learned: Pi) 0 Ann Landers LA. TIMES & CREATORS and at Christmas, who see themselves change as a matter of survival. It was not easy, but I did it. in your letter will learn from it. I learned that I couldn't save Dear Readers: The letter and my child from herself. I now know that people must accept response above appeared in my the consequences of their be- column in 1983. The clipping havior. That is how they learn that arrived in the mail seemed and grow. vaguely familiar, but I didn't I wrote this letter for two recognize it until I read the reasons: to let parents know response. It sounded like me. Sure enough, in very small that it is never too late to assert their rights, and that print, at the bottom of the children should get the message clipping, the sender had writthat they cannot dump garbage ten: "This appeared in your on their parents and not suffer column in 1983. I cut it out and the consequences when the roof have read it over at least 150 caves in. J.R., in Napoleon, times. It is time to run it Ohio. again." Dear Napoleon: CongratulaDear Ann Landers: When I your life?" I replied, "It's tions for getting your act to- married my husband 20 years hell." I learned that if my child was gether before you reached Watago, I knew he was not a not willing to change, I had to erloo. I hope the parents and romantic, but being a practical Parents have rights, too. I teen-age- rs had the right to say, "I cannot keep you from doing what you want to do, but I can let you know that I do not approve, and am now declaring your behavior 'off limits.' " I learned that our daughter was not making me miserable. I was making myself miserable. I learned that it was easier to live without her than to tolerate the pain. At first, I resisted all these ideas. I said: "I can't do it. My children are my life." Then the counselor asked, "And how is Astrograph Thursday. July 6. 1989 22l You should do t'ANCKR i June rather well in your commercial affairs today, especially if you conduct your business along traditional lines using methods that you know from experience always work effectively. 22) A disgruntled associate LEO July might attempt to throw a roadblock into your efforts today. Don't let this upset you, because you'll have no trouble finding an equally effective alternative. 22 This may be a VIR() i Aug. day when the emphasis will be placed on unexpected developments. Be ready to move swiftly if an opportunity pops up from out of the blue. t. 2.H Your ingenuity LIBRA Sept. could be a shale more luminous today than is likely to fare your companion's. Everyone better if you use your bright ideas instead of areas. 19 In managing i March ARIES matters today that require good sociul judgment, you're not apt to miss a trick. However, this enviable talent might not extend to your financial affairs. TAL'RL'S April 20) You could be luckier than usual Unh.y where your worldly and material intercsls are concerned. Chance j1 in tilting advantageous may play a big r trends in your fav r the pronounce20l GEMINI (May ments of gloomy companions fall on deaf ears in on the pitch today. Tune tnein out and tune of your more positive pals. It I com- I can't describe the disappointment when he fastened it around his neck and said, "I may let you wear it sometime." Blue in Any suggestions? Canada Dear Can: Don't stand on one foot waiting for this clown to shape up. He is a selfish pig. Take the money you used to spend on him and buy yourself something nice and expensive. Elizabeth Scott Robert Giles fornia, Washington, D.C., and Idaho in deaf programs. The couple will live in Pleasant Grove. Robison, Ashdown set wedding date in Manti LDS Temple Celia Robison, daughter of and Mrs. Doug Robison, Orem, will marry Jeffery Kurt Ashdown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Ashdown, Orem, Saturday, July 8, in the Manti LDS TemMr. V reception will honor the at the couple that evening, Orem 25th Ward, 80 S. 280 E. The event is open to all friends and relatives. Bridal attendants are Gail Smith, Amy Ashdown and Andrea Robison. Best man is Aaron Zimmer writh Richard Grounds attend- Jeffery Kurt Ashdown Celia Robison ing. The bride-elegraduated from Orem High and LDS Seminary. She served an LDS mission to California Fresno and San Jose missions. She is employed at Mervyns. Her fiance graduated from ct Mountain View High and LDS Seminary. He served an LDS mission to Calfornia San Jose and is employed with Enviro Sun Construction. The couple will live in Provo. GET JULY FREE!' SacJ . continue to exceed $30 billion a year, says the Development Bank. It said the figures point out the increasing difficulty of Latin America in servicing its external debt. Inter-- American "J lost 80 lbs. and ha ve kept it off for over TAKE AN ADDITIONAL U N All Solid Flats July B. Choose From: Impatients t year!" If you are 160 If you are 170 If you are 180 If you are 190 If you are 200 BEDDING PLANTS w 1 ALL REDUCED II with SUMMER FASHIONS our new . l.r . A 'j IT'S IMPOSSIBLE sizes 161a to 321s and 38 to 52 Petunias Moss Rose Marigolds Aster Snap Dragons Carnation Alyssum Dusty Miller Prim Rose Ageratum Lobelia Salvia Sweet William Vinca And More! FOR LABOR DAY! lbs. you can be 119 lbs! lbs. you can be 127 lbs! lbs. you can be 137 lbs! lbs. you can be 145 lbs! lbs. you can be 155 lbs! mm 4 we j Ihh. TO H V FAIL! 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LOSE CLOSE OUT! facts. 19 When it comes AQL' ARIL'S (Jan. to working out an agreement today, you should be able to strike an advantageous bargain, provided you don't get careless and overlook the obvious. 20 Strive to be PISCES Feb. materially aware today without being selfish or grabby. If you let events run their course, there's a chance you could reap rewards in two Of ct the region's obligations theirs. 22 Conlinue to Oct. SCORPIO keep your focus on goals that have promising potential. Ixidy Luck is still your staunchest supporter in these areas. 211 Your greatSAdlTTARIl S i Nov. est gains today are likely to come from a partnership arrangement. It involves a person who has been rather lucky for you previously. 19 Sell imaginaDec. CAPRICORN tively today if there is something you are trying to promote for a personal profit. However, by the same token, don't depart from the Elizabeth Scott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert L. Scott, Quebec, Canada, will marry Robert Giles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Verdell K. Giles, Pleasant Grove, Saturdav, Julv 8. in the Salt Uke IDS Temple. An open house will honor the couple that evening, 4:30-7- , at the Provo 45th Deaf Branch, 424 W. 1200 S., Provo. The event is open to all friends and relatives. The bride-elegraduated from Mackay Center for Deaf. She plans to attend Utah Valley Community College. She is assistant director to President of Camp Liahona for Deaf Children. Her fiance graduated from Utah School for Deaf. He is president of Camp Liahona for Deaf Children. He plans to attend UVCC. He served in Cali- - 7-- 9, Recently I've been under a lot of stress. I've had problems at work and our three children have not been exactly models of good behavior. When my husband brought home a box from a jewelry store and handed it to me I was thrilled. It contained a beautiful heavy gold chain. Latin America enjoyed a trade surplus from 1983 to 1985 of more than $30 billion each year. It used it to pay income on external capital. This surplus, however, was reduced in 1986 and 1987, although Scoff, Giles to wed in Salt Lake Temple A plained. His next gift was a set of tires for the car. SYNDICATE c ple. person, it didn't bother me. I soon discovered that his idea of a great present for me was something he wanted. After several years of buying him nice gifts and receiving electrical appliances for my birthday sev- Wednesday Julv 5. l8) MasterCard and Discover welcome. Open 9 Weight Lou Clinic International. Mon.-Fr- Inc. IMG SAT.9 am-- pm 0 |