Laws in twelve states agree that a child born exposed to drugs is presumed to be abuse or neglected, and that positive results from a toxicology test performed on a newborn or signed of prenatal drug exposure in newborns constitutes as evidence of child abuse or neglect. This expansion in child welfare law, gives grounds for removing the infant from the mother's custody, and also qualifies as a factor in determining whether to terminate parental rights (Dailard & Nash, 2000).
On the opposite side of the spectrum, twenty-five states have chose nonpunitive and treatment oriented approaches. These states create and fund treatment programs for this population by giving pregnant women priority access to treatment. California, Colorado, and Texas even facilitate the delivery of social services to pregnant substance abusers (Dailard & Nash, 2000).
As a voter, what would you choose?
As a thinker, in what ways could you reconcile both ideas of thought?
