Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2025

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Peripartum substance use and punitive laws: an update
Wesley R White1, Evanna M Ojeda2, Jenna R Ronquest2
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA. wrwhite@uams.edu.
Punitive laws for perinatal substance use have significantly increased, despite lacking evidence of effectiveness. This trend raises concerns for healthcare providers and patient care, advocating for treatment-focused policies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health Law
- Maternal and Child Health
- Substance Use Policy
Background:
- A 2016 article highlighted the rise in punitive laws concerning perinatal substance use.
- Since 2016, there has been a notable increase in legislation targeting pregnant individuals with substance use disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an update on the trends in punitive perinatal substance use laws from 2016 to 2023.
- To raise awareness among healthcare providers regarding these legal changes.
- To encourage advocacy for evidence-based, treatment-focused policies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of legislative changes related to perinatal substance use from 2016 to 2023.
- Tracking the increase in laws equating substance use with child abuse.
- Monitoring the rise in mandated reporting laws for perinatal substance use.
Main Results:
- A 39% increase in laws classifying perinatal substance use as child abuse.
- A 73% increase in mandated reporting laws for perinatal substance use.
- Limited evidence supports the effectiveness of these punitive measures.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare providers need to be informed about the evolving legal landscape.
- Patient counseling regarding substance use and legal implications is crucial.
- Advocacy for state-level policies prioritizing treatment over punishment is essential.
More Related Videos
05:25Preclinical Model of Prenatal Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure to Assess Its Impact on Neurodevelopmental Outcomes
Published on: February 28, 2025
15:27Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development
Published on: July 13, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Drug Regulation
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids