PREGNANT WOMEN ON METHAMPHETAMINE
Some of the most disturbing situations I have seen are pregnant women on methamphetamine. Most of them say they care about their unborn child, but refuse to enter a treatment facility for pregnant women. They will promise not to use anymore drugs, but most relapse. Methamphetamine addiction is so powerful they cannot resist using when confronted by the drug.
I have been told that the child protective laws do not cover the unborn. As a result many of the unborn are damaged by the use of drugs. Some are born with serious mental and physical deficiencies that prevent them from functioning like normal children or adults. Most have difficulty coping and many will never become productive members of society.
I do not subscribe to the philosophy that “it’s the woman body and she can do with it what she pleases.” Instead, when a female becomes pregnant it is more than her body. Inside her body is a defenseless human being. Unborn babies have no voice in the decisions their mothers make. If an expectant mother cares about her unborn child she should refuse to drink alcohol or use drugs, enter a treatment facility, eat properly, and have regular checkups by a physician.
Most of the pregnant women on methamphetamine that I have seen didn’t have a physician nor had a checkup. They were so preoccupied with the drug they didn’t think about anything else.
Something has to be done to protect the unborn. They are innocent and deserve better. The child protective laws must be changed to include them. The Department of Family and Children Services cannot intervene unless the pregnant methamphetamine addict has other children. This is absurd. We must lobby for a change. Concerned and caring citizens should contact their Representatives and Senators requesting a change in the Law to include the unborn.
Genetics determine our mental ability and physical characteristics, but methamphetamine use by a pregnant woman can alter both. Physicians and medications cannot restore these deficits. These innocent methamphetamine damaged babies live with their mental and/or physical limitations. This is wrong! If a pregnant woman tests positive for methamphetamine or any other drug that damages the unborn, she should be charged with a crime and face a severe penalty for their criminal behavior.
Methamphetamine use has reached epidemic proportions in Calhoun and Gordon County. Physicians, treatment providers, school teachers, law enforcement, and community leaders have only seen the tip of the “iceberg.” Unfortunately, it will get worse before it gets better because we react rather than respond to a crisis. Therefore, it is imperative that concerned citizens in Gordon County to take action. Politicians, law enforcement, and community leaders will listen when a large number of citizens express their concern about this menace that is damaging untold lives and destroying the moral fabric of the community.
If you have a relative, friend, or neighbor using methamphetamine that becomes pregnant and refuses to get help, contact law enforcement and have her arrested. You will undoubtedly make her angry, but you will give an unborn child a better chance to live a normal life and become a productive member of society. I encourage you to contact Citizens Against Methamphetamine and join them in their effort to make every citizen aware of this devastating and life destroying drug.
John L Bledsoe, Ph. D., D. MinDiplomate American Psychotherapy Association
NAADAC Substance Abuse Professional