How penalizing substance use in pregnancy affects treatment and research: a qualitative examination of researchers' perspectives.

Seema K ShahLeishla Perez-CardonaKhrystyna HelnerSuena H MasseyAshish PremkumarRenee EdwardsElizabeth S NortonCynthia E RogersEmily S MillerChristopher D SmyserMatthew M DavisLauren S Wakschlag

Published in: Journal of law and the biosciences (2023)

Adverse impacts from criminalizing substance use during pregnancy extend to research on this common and stigmatized problem. Rather than penalizing substance use in pregnancy, laws should approach addiction as a medical issue and support scientific efforts to improve outcomes for affected families.

Keyphrases

preterm birth
pregnancy outcomes
healthcare
emergency department
weight loss