What do you think? A slippery slope?

May 1, 2014 |




Tennessee has become the first state in the nation to pass a law criminalizing women for their pregnancy outcomes. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam took the 10 days allotted to him to consider the advice of doctors, addiction experts and reproductive health groups urging him to veto the punitive and dangerous measure that allows prosecutors to charge a woman with criminal assault if she uses illegal drugs during her pregnancy and her fetus or newborn is considered harmed as a result. Haslam ignored these recommendations — and the recommendations of nearly every major medical association, including the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy — and signed the measure anyway.

War on drugs and the afflicted children that need lifetime healthcare if they're born with issues related to the substance abused.

In a perfect world all women would care about what they are introducing into their bodies and their unborn babies bodies as well.

But some women especially in the lower classes don't know the first thing about the damage they're doing to themselves to start with. So convincing them they're putting their babies at risk too, well...

If it can be scientifically proven that the drug taken, unless by prescription, caused the baby to be born as a liability on the system, then why not hold the mother responsible?

It is child abuse in a way.

It would certainly be a tool to scare those who abuse drugs and alcohol, making them think twice and quit what they're doing at least during pregnancy. IMO.

Then again, what drug addict or alcoholic is going to be straight long enough to even worry about the consequences. And it will probably overcrowd our already overcrowded detention facilities where the tax payers will be footing the bill.

So your guess is as good as mine.

if it would be a crime for a stranger to do it to the woman and cause danger to the unborn child

it should be a crime for the mother to do it to her own unborn child,,,


consistency,,,,

Opening up the possibility of civil liberties violations is always a slippery slope...That's why the ALCU, many health care providers, and some women's groups are protesting...Haslam understands and even agrees with their arguments against the new law, but he feels it is worth a try because of Tennessee high rate of births to drug addicted women and the horrific effects that addiction imposes on these children...The good news is Governor Haslam is placing a two year limit on the law in order to monitor the impact on families...The charge is assault if a pregnant woman takes a narcotic during her pregnancy and the baby is born addicted, is harmed by, or dies as a result...Criminal charges can be avoided if the woman completes a state treatment program... Even though the Tennessee bill is the first to criminalize drug use among pregnant women, other states have been prosecuting addicted pregnant women for years under different kinds of laws...For example, Alabama's Supreme Court recently ruled that women can be prosecuted under their state's chemical endangerment law if they use drugs during their pregnancy...So what Tennessee is doing is really not new, it's just specific...Draconian or humanitarian...Hopefully the two year test period will produce some positive results, especially for the unborn babies...

Tennessee is trying to reduce the war on unborn babies.

WHOOOOAAAAA here wait! Did I miss something? Tennessee is the first state where it is a crime for a pregnant woman to be a user? That is ALREADY a crime..if she's using she can go to jail regardless of the out come of the pregnancy

I understand the nuance of what you're saying is different .... but let's not forget this is a crime already

Yeah Sweet, that's what I said, Tennessee is the first to write and pass a specific law, BUT states have been prosecuting pregnant addicts for years....Read it again...

I am fully aware of what you wrote thank you

yes I know that Tennesee is not the first to criminalize this drug use is what I am saying ... I mean this is not new. it already is a crime with or without the pregnancy. I only mentioned as a clarification (and as I said I understand your nuance) because it is not like states have been letting pregnant women go unprosecuted like some special class


could we do as well with other kinds of "illegals"

It's a witch hunt! Shouldn't they be talking and focusing on treatment or education rather than punishment? Seems the more logical and cost effective to me!

Do they then blame every woman bearing a special needs child?

You're welcome...

Whatever anyone takes from Tennessee's new law, it sends a message...I read that 17 states are now considering the same, enacting laws that specifically target pregnant women who use narcotics ....I don't know if it is going to change much (and somehow I doubt it will), but I do commend Governor Haslam for being willing to take the heat from "certain" organizations in order to try a more direct approach...For me the issue is about the danger to the fetus and the suffering incurred by innocent and defenseless children...I think "that" trumps the addicts civil liberties...

I hear you, I even agree in a lot of ways...Education and treatment has been the focus for years and it isn't working...Also, the law does state that charges will be droped and records cleared if the addicted mother completes a state program to "clean up"...Slippery slope for sure....


Good morning ((((Soul))))

Drugs can easily be added to the list of what to look for during routine blood work.

I would imagine, women found with drugs in thier system would be reported already.

That's probably the number one complaint by the ALCU and medical professionals...They fear the new law will cause drug users to avoid prenatal care which could jeopardize the health of both mother and child....Slippery slope....Mornin!

I wonder how many drug users actually bother with prenatal care anyway,,,,

Me too....

Good morning, beautiful.

I would have thought, drugs in the blood would have been looked for all along.

Not doing prenatal care should be grounds for child endangerment. Social Services should place the newborn in foster care or adopt them out and mandatory sterilization.

Those women who choose to endanger their kids with using drugs should be allowed to clean up. I'd add in that law, they must stay clean for at least a 5 year probation period. Random, surprise blood work done. Come back dirty, place the kid in adoption and force the woman to get sterilized.

We have way too many irresponsible breeders already.

Here's one result of irresponsible breeding.

http://wreg.com/2014/01/08/police-union-draws-fire-over-swearing-toddler-thug-video/

Agree, clean up, give birth, use birth control, get a life ...The vid made me sad Willing

agreed and I guess that is where the nuance lies....their civil liberties already prohibit that activity. Why aren't they already being prosecuted BEFORE they get pregnant or whenever their illegal activity occurs?

Perhaps this law simply enables authorities to address addiction in a new way using a newborn child as evidence of addiction. If they are hoping it will spur prevention then they really do not know much about addiction

hopefully that will part of the program but TBH if you know anything about addiction...you know those things have already failed, largely...I wonder what law enforcement expects to gain from this law.