Sponsored
A recent feature story in Salon exposed the troubling lack of access to life saving addiction treatment for pregnant women in jail. The article also reveals the suffering moms to be endure when they’re made to go through withdrawal from behind bars.
Among the women profiled is Leslie who was arrested when she was four months pregnant and was denied medication for her opioid addiction. This caused her not only significant physical discomfort but also severe medical complications. She was ultimately rushed to the hospital after suffering a seizure and being rushed to the hospital.
Incarcerated pregnant women with substance use disorders deal with this sort of thing often. The standard practice for someone with an intense opioid addiction is to have them detox safely under medical supervision.
This typically also involves the use of FDA approved medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms that can otherwise be dangerous or even fatal. In many of these cases it’s not wise to attempt quitting cold turkey.
There is a clear lack of consistent policies across correctional institutions and this makes the challenge even more difficult. The Department of Justice has recognized this standard of practice in caring for persons experiencing substance use disorder and have mandated that incarcerated persons receive addiction treatment while in custody.
But to this point the mandates have been only sporadically and feebly enforced. Implementation has been slow and inconsistent. Without proper treatment, pregnant individuals who are addicted to opioids are at risk of preterm labor and stillbirth and their children are more likely to be born with complications such as neonatal abstinence syndrome. In fact opioid use disorders account for a significant portion of postpartum mortality for mothers and infants.
There is certainly stigma and misinformation being spread that further hinders access to care. These pregnant women are often judged rather than given the medical and mental health support that they need. This not only violates their rights but can also endanger their health and that of their unborn children.
One way that this can be addressed is by advocating for diversion programs that place pregnant individuals in community based treatment rather than immediately incarcerating them. Such diversion programs can provide access to compassionate care and comprehensive support for new moms and their babies.
