Policy+Question+I

Consider:
Should pregnant women who use illicit drugs be prosecuted?

Given the potential damaging effects of drugs on prenatal development, everyone agrees that preventing pregnant women from using them is an important goal. But what is the best way to achieve this objective? In the United States, some have drawn a parallel between drug use during pregnancy and physical abuse of an infant after birth, suggesting that pregnant drug users should be criminally prosecuted.

Complexities
Legal Status of the Fetus. Which drugs? What Kind of Evidence Will Be Required?

Discuss:
Discuss the question and the issues involved. Give opinions and personal experiences if desired. If you reply to someone else, please be respectful and mindful of the many complexities that surround this question.

Bonus (20 points): Select one of the "Your Turn" questions to research and write an academic paragraph answering the question. You may only do this **ONCE** per policy question.

Resources:
For more about Prenatal Development see HGD Chapter Three. See also HGD page 83.

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