[happygrl]

Something like this was considered, and perhaps even implemented during the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s.

There was, at least, talk of inserting Norplant, a contraceptive drug, into the arms of female addicts who had produced a crack baby.

Considering the effects of crack on babies, the idea had a fair amount of support, although I don't think it was implemented.

[nina0113]

Something like this was considered, and perhaps even implemented during the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s.

There was, at least, talk of inserting Norplant, a contraceptive drug, into the arms of female addicts who had produced a crack baby.

Considering the effects of crack on babies, the idea had a fair amount of support, although I don't think it was implemented.

It wasn't mandatory, but one of my sibs worked in an emergency room at the time, and one of the post-delivery questions was "WHEN do you want to schedule your Norplant?" not "Would you like..."? I don't think it was restricted to crack, I think it was offered, with strong encouragement, to all welfare patients.