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