Our Goal, Vision and Values

The mission of the Bexar County NAS Collaborative is to support individuals and families impacted by NAS through collaborative education, research, and clinical practice.

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We are the Bexar County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Collaborative

Opioid use is on the rise across the nation. Prescription pain killers and heroin are some of the most commonly used opioids in the U.S. Using these substances when pregnant can impact health outcomes for mother and baby. Babies exposed to opioids in the womb can develop Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Newborns with NAS experience excessive crying, trouble feeding, diarrhea, and shakiness. 

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NAS rates have greatly increased over the last ten years. In Bexar County (which consists of San Antonio and the surrounding areas) NAS rates are the highest for the state of Texas. These high rates and potential poor outcomes for mother and baby call for new ways to look at new ways to treat NAS. 

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The Bexar County Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Collaborative (BCNC) formed in 2016 to improve NAS outcomes. The BCNC is a partnership between researchers, doctors, nurses, community representatives and patients/family members. The main goal of the BCNC is to keep families impacted by substance use and NAS together and healthy. 

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Women sometimes delay getting prenatal care and treatment for their addiction. This is because they’re afraid they’ll be called “bad” mothers. They may also be afraid that their children will be taken away from them. Many women don’t know there are places they can go to get help for themselves and their families. These are places where they don’t have to face their troubles alone. With help, recovery and a happy life are possible. (5th)

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The work of the BCNC is supported by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). PCORI supports research that’s led by patients and focused on outcomes that matter most to them.