Pubdate: Sun, 15 Sep 2002
Source: Arizona Republic (AZ)
Copyright: 2002 The Arizona Republic
Contact:  http://www.arizonarepublic.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Tracee Hall, Dary Matera, Chris Quigley, Denise Resnik, Bill Scott, 
Alvin Vasicek, Feliciano Vera, and Annette Zaccari

PUBLIC PULSE: SHOULD THE STATE TAKE CUSTODY OF CRACK BABIES?

This week we ask The Arizona Republic Readers Panel about the crack baby 
who recently died in Phoenix.

QUESTION: Should the state take custody of newborns whose mothers use crack 
or other harmful street drugs?

Tracee Hall

29, Project Manager, Phoenix

Newborns and children in general should definitely be taken out of the 
custody of parents who are addicted to crack or other harmful drugs. When a 
mother is addicted her primary concern is satiating her addiction rather 
than the wellbeing of the child. Alternative living arrangements, such as 
extended family members, should be considered first before putting the 
child in foster care. The removal time from the home should depend on the 
parent's ability to stay clean.

Dary Matera

46, Author, Chandler

Depends on the definition of "harmful street drugs." A mother strung out on 
crack or heroin has no business with a child. On the other hand, you can't 
have the state snatching a baby from a mom who smokes a joint, snorts a few 
lines socially, or pops some meth to get through the day. Society has a 
much bigger problem with mothers - and everybody else - who abuse alcohol 
and cigarettes.

Chris Quigley

55, Community Volunteer, Tempe

A society's first responsibility is to its most vulnerable members. We need 
to find a way to protect children born to those who are obviously incapable 
of even the most minimum standard of care. On the other hand, where in our 
strapped state budget will the money come from for the care of the child, 
court expenses and maternal education and treatment? I wish I knew the answer.

Denise Resnik

41, Marketing And Public Relations, Paradise Valley

If a newborn tests positive for an illegal substance, the mother has 
already proven herself unfit. For their own safety, these children must be 
placed in foster homes until their birth mothers have proven they can live 
a drug-free life. Too many children have been sacrificed in an idealistic 
effort to protect the rights of mothers who are unwilling or unable to 
overcome their addictions, or who simply do not care.

Bill Scott

57, Consultant, Glendale

I'm not sure if the state should automatically take custody of babies born 
to mothers on crack when there may be other options to consider first. One 
is to make a definitive determination that the mother and father are, in 
fact, unfit due to drug abuse/addiction and/or a history of other 
anti-social behaviors. Another option is to consider the availability and 
appropriateness of other family members taking care of the baby and, if 
necessary, raising it before the state steps in to take custody.

Alvin Vasicek

57, State Administrator, Mesa

Public outrage over dead babies with pre-or postnatal exposure to crack 
cocaine is cheap to come by. Punishing parents who do things like this is 
after the fact makes the public feel better about itself. What is in short 
supply is a willingness by the public to act constructively to solve social 
problems. Public outrage needs to be replaced by a public that desires to 
become informed, is proactive regarding social problems, and will not allow 
the media and politicians to use issues like this to further their purposes.

Feliciano Vera

25, Consultant, Phoenix

No. Despite the tragic consequences of drug use during pregnancy, that 
conceptual policy violates basic personal freedoms. Such logic opens the 
door to state intervention in other situations in which behavioral risks 
endanger the health of a child. Will we then require state custodial 
intervention for children of smokers or alcoholics?

Annette Zaccari

42, Counselor & Psychotherapist, Phoenix

It saddens me that a mother would choose drugs and crack over the wellbeing 
of her child. When it comes to addiction you are dealing with the addict 
and the mother is no longer available. The state needs to protect the one 
who does not have a choice - the child. The mother in these circumstances 
is giving up her right to parent her child if she makes the choice to use 
drugs. We have a responsibility to protect children.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth