Research Paper on Social Justice and Pregnant/Addicted Mothers

Introduction

One of the significant health concerns during pregnancy is associated with the use of drugs and substance among pregnant women. It is not only a public health concern but has also been termed as a criminal justice concern. Usually, when expectant mothers engage in substance use, they pose a risk to their health as well as to the health of the fetus they are carrying in their wombs (Forray, 2016). Due to the increasing cases of drug abuse by pregnant mothers, there have been efforts by the government to criminalize the act since they have been identified as a risk. Generally, the abuse of drug substances is illegal in most countries and states and hence is regarded as a criminal act punishable under the law. This paper will discuss pregnant and addicted mothers as a social justice issue.

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History of Social Justice Issue

Use of drugs during pregnancy is an old social injustice that has been in existence for many years. However, the use has increased over the past 40 years leading to growing concern by the government, healthcare stakeholders and policymakers. Creating public consciousness has been embraced by more stakeholders in the recent 20 years. In other words, more people and organization (governmental and non- governmental) have taken the initiative to create public awareness regarding the risks of drug use during pregnancy with the objective of persuading women and the public, in general, to desist from substance abuse (Baldwin & Pryce, 2015). The rise of cocaine use can be traced back to the 1980s when crack cocaine use emerged and led to a public outcry (Stone, 2015). There was an urgent need to shine a spotlight on this social justice issue which threatens to hurt the health of many young and women. Since then, there have been notable efforts by the authorities to create policies that will effectively reduce the use of drugs. This case has included criminalizing the issue and attaching a punishment for people who are accused of using drugs. These policies have specifically targeted pregnant women because they risk the health and lives of the unborn beings.

Social Justice Issue

Use of drugs is one of the most significant social issues that affect many societies. The social problems associated with substance abuse have been on the rise over the years. In the last 20 years, the numbers of Americans who have been using both the prescribed and illicit opioids have grown consistently. This scenario has included pregnant women. Between the year 2000 and the year 2009, there have been five times more pregnant women using opioids (Sanders, 2014). Also, between the year 2000 and the year 2012, babies who have been born with neonatal abstinence syndrome has also increased five times. Neonatal abstinence syndrome refers to withdrawal symptoms that occur to a baby when he or she no longer gets the drugs the mother was taking or using during pregnancy. It is estimated that 22,000 babies were born with this syndrome in the year 2012 (Baldwin & Pryce, 2015). This case means that on average, a baby with the syndrome was born every 24 minutes.

The level of addiction brought about by the drugs and the related side effects to both the mother and the baby amount to the social justice issue that has prompted significant concern. Drug and substance abuse by pregnant mothers is regarded as a social justice issue that is seen to affect black women as compared to white women. There is a level of inequality that is exhibited in expectant women. Black Americans are generally known to use drugs more as compared to the White Americans (Baldwin & Pryce, 2015). Specific social issues such as discrimination are among the reasons as to why more blacks engage in drugs since they might be depressed, stressed or suffering from other psychological challenges. They end up on drugs as a way of relieving the difficulties. In this regard, there is a high possibility that more black women are likely to be punished for drug use. This scenario has created a social concern as it is seen to create inequality among the Americans.

Women who use drugs are likely to change their behavior if they are offered the required support. However, they continue to be threatened with punishment. They are usually discriminated by the society, face disdain as well as criminal prosecution. This case is especially so in situations where they intend to seek hospital-based delivery (Sanders, 2014). As a result, they opt to undergo delivery out of the hospital for fear of being arrested, and they end up not accessing safe and healthy delivery services. Ideally, ensuring healthy as well as good breastfeeding should always be the ultimate goal of the health organizations. Therefore, their surveillance and reporting activities should aim at supporting these goals instead of focusing on the criminal justice system. Their focus on criminal justice system has further created social issues to the affected.

Who it Impacts

As it has been mentioned earlier, the issue of drug abuse affects certain cultures and ethnicities as compared to others. It is usually a result of other problems that are faced by the specific cultures. In the United States of America, the number of blacks who use drugs is higher than the number of whites. Therefore, there is a high likelihood that there are more pregnant women from this culture who use drugs. As such, it would be correct to say that the black Americans are impacted by substance abuse and addiction more as compared to the White Americans. The number of black children who are likely to be born with neonatal abstinence syndrome is high (Lester, Andreozzi & Appiah, 2004). This further implies that the social problems that are associated with drug abuse and addiction affect the black community more as compared to the extent to which it affects the white community. The urban culture is also significantly impacted by this issue. The number of people using drugs in the urban centers is higher as compared to those in the rural areas. This situation is primarily due to accessibility. It, therefore, goes without saying that the urban cultures are more likely to be impacted by the issue of drug addiction and substance use by pregnant mothers.

How it Impacts Micro, Mezzo and Macro

The issue affects micro in that the day to day living of the women who are involved in substance abuse is negatively impacted. If they are addicted, they are not able to carry out their daily activities usually without the drug as they have developed some level of dependency. To help such people, they require both individual and family counseling as part of their treatment. Close interactions with the individuals are of great benefit.

The issue also has mezzo impact in that it extends its effects to the groups in which the individual is associated. The immediate group and usually the smallest is the family. When an individual gets into drug addiction, the family members will be affected in some way. They will be concerned about the health and well-being of their relative (Sanders, 2014). They might even spend money on treatment will have an economic implication on them. Further, their social relations with them will as well be affected. Other groups with which the mother relates to are also likely to be affected in various ways.

Finally, on macro-level it also affects the community at large. Drug addiction not only to pregnant mothers is usually a social issue affecting the whole community. The state, as well as advocacy groups, have to intervene (Baldwin & Pryce, 2015). If the community does not intervene, it might end up having people who are mentally unwell due to substance abuse and hence their productivity to the economy, social and political factors to the society will be impaired.

Current Opposition or Support

Drug and substance abuse by either pregnant mothers or any other persons has a necessary implication on the health of the individuals involved as well as the wellbeing of the society in general. Due to the significance of the social justice issue and pregnant mothers, different people have had different stands regarding the same. There has been significant opposition due to the focus on punishing women who use and are addicted to drugs rather than treating them. Some quarters believe that punishing such women might end up traumatizing them and at the same time alleviate their perception of discrimination (Chung & Bemak, 2012). They might feel stigmatized, an issue that will end up creating more social problems. As a result, it has been met with considerable opposition as most people feel that drug addicts should be offered supportive treatment instead of punishing them.

Critical Analysis

Drugs are highly addictive even to people who are not pregnant, and this leads to deterioration of their health in the long run. In addition to health problems, drug abuse is associated with multiple social problems for both the child and the mother. Drug usage is very rampant in the United States of America. For instance, in the year 2015, the number of heroin users was reported to be in the region of 329,000 people (Lester, Andreozzi & Appiah, 2004). This figure included about 79,000 women between the age of 15 and 44 who had also been reported to have used heroin within one month, April-May. One of the reasons as to why the number of pregnant women using drugs in the United States is high is because there is a high number possibility that some use the substances without realizing that they are pregnant. Women who are addicted to drug abuse are likely to deliver children suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome. This case will lead to generally poor health in a society.

Conclusion

The issue of drug abuse has been on the rise in the recent years to the extent that it has triggered concern from different groups and stakeholders due to the risk it holds regarding social health and overall wellbeing. It is mainly a great concern to pregnant mothers as their behaviors might put the fetus at risk. The big question has been on how to deal with this issue and resolve it in the long run. Ideally, people suffering from drug addiction need to be supported. Punishing them may not be a long-lasting solution and hence should be avoided where possible.

References

Baldwin, L., & Pryce, V. (2015). Mothering justice: Working with mothers in criminal and social justice settings. Eastbourne: Waterside Press

Chung, R. C.-Y., & Bemak, F. (2012). Social justice counseling: The next steps beyond multiculturalism. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage Publications.

Forray, A. (2016). Substance use during pregnancy. F1000Research, 5, F1000 Faculty Rev-887. http://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.7645.1

Lester, B. M., Andreozzi, L., & Appiah, L. (2004). Substance use during pregnancy: time for policy to catch up with research. Harm Reduction Journal, 1, 5. http://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7517-1-5

Sanders, J. M. (2014). Women in narcotics anonymous: Overcoming stigma and shame. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Stone, R. (2015). Pregnant women and substance use: fear, stigma, and barriers to care. Health & Justice, 3, 2. http://doi.org/10.1186/s40352-015-0015-5