Forty five pregnant addicts had attended the National Drug Treatment Centre between 1984-1986. At that time they received intensive counselling, low dose methandone maintenance and both ante natal and post natal care. Our aim was to follow these women six years later focusing on their drug use and outcome of their children. The women were followed up by chart review, individual interviews and liaison with the social and probation services. Results indicate that a high proportion of the women abused chronically (50%). There is a worryingly high incidence of HIV positive patients (53.4%)and a mortality figure of 15.5% (7). However, only 13 women (28.6%) have had further contact with probation services. Five children (11.3%) are under formal care order and 4 children have become HIV positive in their own right. In conclusion, while these women have benifitted in certain areas e.g. family planning, contact with probation services, in other areas they have remained chaotic e.g. continued drug use or HIV risk taking behaviour. Thus the authors believe the future programmes should concentrate more directly on detoxification and rehabilitation after pregnancy. We also believe that because of the chaotic nature of these women some review of an "at risk" register for the children should be carried out.