For Norwegian drug addicts, pregnancy might lead to incarceration

http://sciencenordic.com ^

[marthemaria]

A unique law gives social workers in Norway the right to lock up pregnant drug addicts to protect the health of unborn children. A new study looks at how the pregnant users react to being incarcerated

'Siri' was enrolled in an opioid-assisted drug rehabilitation programme in Norway when she discovered that she was sixth months pregnant. She informed the staff immediately, and within 24 hours she was – voluntarily – on her way to a closed ward.

She felt that firm limits were needed.

After arrival she was shocked to find that doors and windows were locked, surveillance was extensive, and that a withdrawal of her consent to be there voluntarily would resort in an official, forced incarceration.

The study is delving into unknown territory as no other country has a similar law, and no-one has researched how the lawful incapacitation is experienced by the troubled addicts.

The notion behind the law is that an unborn child has some legal rights and that the social welfare system should protect it from the harm of their drug-using mothers.

A pregnant woman’s drug use can result in complications such as birth defects, neurological problems and spontaneous abortions.

Behind bars in an institution, an unborn child is safer from such harms as their mother is barred from access to drugs. But, ironically and importantly, such incapacitation of a mother might end up killing the foetus. Abortion may be the only way out

Although pregnant drug addicts are not criminal per definition, they can lose their right to personal freedom and stay in the hands of the ward staff until they give birth, or, until they decide to get an abortion.

“The idea is that in case the child is born, it should get the best possible start, considering the situation,”

[marthemaria]

A real nanny state or what.

[marthemaria]

This is a very controversial law. The paradox is that we put these women in prison so that they will not harm their child. But as soon as they get abortion they free. In real life though its only the most hardcore drugadict that are put in a locked facility. People with alcohol abuse and only recreational drug-use might get probation and have to undergo a control regime to make sure they are not harming their child.

[skinkinthegrass]

"But as soon as they get abortion they free."Margaret Sanger et. al. would be proud..gettin' to clean-up the populace.

[greatvikingone]

Alcohol will do far more damage to the unborn child than drugs. New Mexico has such a problem with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome amongst the Natives that they have been able to lock up pregnant women who drink - I don’t know if it is still allowed. Having a daughter with FAS, I know that losing the liberty to abuse the child through alcohol is the best thing for the child and the nation (FAS kids are called “10 million dollar babies” because of how much the state will expend to raise that child in prison or mental institutions.)

[Islander7]

'Siri' was enrolled in an opioid-assisted drug rehabilitation programme in Norway when she discovered that she was sixth months pregnant.

Any damage to the unborn had already occurred.

[Rich21IE]

Actually, I find it rather weird. I’ve always thought of Norway/Sweden as being Progressive Atheist jurisdictions and as such would have simply aborted the pregnancy and sterilized the drug addict and dropped her off at a “free drug” zone where she could drug to death. Why would a semi-facscist Nanny state waste millions on the program discussed in this article? I don’t get it.

[marthemaria]

Its a really expensive program. To put women in prison for being pregnant and harming them self and their unborn baby. This law means that the well-being of the child is more important than the mothers individual freedom. Some women prefer this though,they want to be good mothers but cant stop because of their addiction.I work at a welfare office and If i meet a drug addict that is pregnant I have to report it.The woman can get lots of help and avoid being incarcerated. Normally support and control measures like drug testing will be first option before possibly incarceration. Before the 3 months are up she can choose abortion or continue the pregnancy. There have to be imminent risk of serious harm for the unborn child though.T means that a women that drinks a class of wine for example will not be an issue. A college of mine actually does not see the paradox. She says she works to protect the potential of the baby and if the mothers wants abortion its not a baby yet. Mindboggeling.