Drug liaison midwives.

This letter is in response to an article by Fischer (Addiction 95, pp. 1141-1144) on treatment of opioid dependence in pregnant women. The authors describe the experiences of opiate-dependent pregnant women in Ireland and the creation of a Drug Liaison Midwife (DLM) post at each of the maternity hospitals in Dublin in 1999. Pregnant women are prioritised in terms of treatment access, both outpatient and inpatient, with partners also offered treatment. Methadone maintenance is most commonly used. The paper notes that the appointment of DLMs has improved communication between the obstetric firms and the local drug teams as well as improving services to the patients.