Mothers and Illicit Drugs : Transcending the Myths

During the past decade, media and medical forces have combined to create an alarming view of pregnant mothers who use illicit drugs. The result has been increased state control of these women and their infants. This in-depth study is the first in Canada to look at how mothers who use illicit drugs regard the laws, medical practices, and social services that intervene in their lives. Focusing on practices in western Canada, Susan C. Boyd argues that licit and illicit drug categories are artificial and dangerous and that the evidence for neonatal syndrome (NAS) is suspect and ideologically driven. She shows that women of colour and poor women are treated much more harshly by authorities, that current regulations erode women's civil liberties, and that social control is the aim of drug policy and law. The study highlights mothers' views of the NAS program at Sunny Hill Hospital for Children in Vancouver. Writing from a critical feminist perspective, Boyd exposes some surprising social fictions - those that separate 'good' and 'bad' drugs, as they do 'good' and 'bad' mothers. During The Past Decade, Media And Medical Forces Have Combined To Create An Alarming View Of Pregnant Mothers Who Use Illicit Drugs. The Result Has Been Increased State Control Of These Women And Their Infants. This In-depth Study Is The First In Canada To Look At How Mothers Who Use Illicit Drugs Regard The Laws, Medical Practices, And Social Services That Intervene In Their Lives. Focusing On Practices In Western Canada, Susan C. Boyd Argues That Licit And Illicit Drug Categories Are Artificial And Dangerous And That The Evidence For Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (nas) Is Suspect And Ideologically Driven. She Shows That Women Of Colour And Poor Women Are Treated Much More Harshly By Authorities, That Current Regulations Erode Women's Civil Liberties, And That Social Control Is The Aim Of Drug Policy And Law. The Study Highlights Mothers' Views Of The Nas Program At Sunny Hill Hospital For Children In Vancouver.--jacket. A Gender Analysis -- Drugs And Mothering -- Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (nas): Sunny Hill Hospital For Children -- Social Services: Intervention And Regulation -- Drug Treatment -- The Effects Of The Criminalization Of Narcotics -- Implications For Policy Makers. Susan C. Boyd. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [219]-238) And Index.

During the past decade, media and medical forces have combined to create an alarming view of pregnant mothers who use illicit drugs. The result has been increased state control of these women and their infants. This in-depth study is the first in Canada to look at how mothers who use illicit drugs regard the laws, medical practices, and social services that intervene in their lives.

Focusing on practices in western Canada, Susan C. Boyd argues that licit and illicit drug categories are artificial and dangerous and that the evidence for neonatal syndrome (NAS) is suspect and ideologically driven. She shows that women of colour and poor women are treated much more harshly by authorities, that current regulations erode women's civil liberties, and that social control is the aim of drug policy and law. The study highlights mothers' views of the NAS program at Sunny Hill Hospital for Children in Vancouver.

Writing from a critical feminist perspective, Boyd exposes some surprising social fictions - those that separate 'good' and 'bad' drugs, as they do 'good' and 'bad' mothers.

"During the past decade, media and medical forces have combined to create an alarming view of pregnant mothers who use illicit drugs. The result has been increased state control of these women and their infants. This in-depth study is the first in Canada to look at how mothers who use illicit drugs regard the laws, medical practices, and social services that intervene in their lives." "Focusing on practices in western Canada, Susan C. Boyd argues that licit and illicit drug categories are artificial and dangerous and that the evidence for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is suspect and ideologically driven. She shows that women of colour and poor women are treated much more harshly by authorities, that current regulations erode women's civil liberties, and that social control is the aim of drug policy and law. The study highlights mothers' views of the NAS program at Sunny Hill Hospital for Children in Vancouver."--Résumé de l'éditeur Alarming media reports on pregnant mothers who use illicit drugs has resulted in increased state control of these women and their infants. This study examines how drug-using mothers in the NAS program at Sunny Hill Hospital for Children in Vancouver regard the laws, medical practices, and social services that intervene in their lives. The study argues that licit and illicit drug categories are artificial and dangerous and that the evidence for neonatal syndrome (NAS) is suspect and ideologically driven; that women of colour and poor women are treated much more harshly by authorities; that current regulations erode women's civil liberties; and that social control is the aim of drug policy and law. It also uncovers some surprising social fictions - those that separate 'good' and 'bad' drugs, as they do 'good' and 'bad' mothers Contents 7 Acknowledgments 9 1. A Gender Analysis 11 2. Drugs and Mothering 54 3. Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Sunny Hill Hospital for Children 83 4. Social Services: Intervention and Regulation 117 5. Drug Treatment 144 6. The Effects of the Criminalization of 'Narcotics' 176 7. Implications for Policy Makers 217 APPENDIX. Interview Schedule 223 Notes 225 References 229 Index 249 A critical feminist expose of some surprising social fictions about both "good" and "bad" drugs, and "good" and "bad" mothers