Pay Drug Addicts for Birth Control??

Riley · #1 05-14-2002, 03:55 PM

On the radio I heard a commentary where an organization was proposing paying drug addicts and alcoholics money to take long-term birth control like depo. This is in respone to the large numbers of babies born addicted to drugs.

How does everyone feel about this??

Steeltrap · #2 05-14-2002, 04:50 PM

Actually, this is not new. There is a woman down here in SoCal who proposed much the same about 10 years ago or so and was vilified for it.

AKA2D '91 · #3 05-14-2002, 06:05 PM

Oh no, don't do that, then I will be out of a job.

lovele1978 · #4 05-15-2002, 11:30 AM

Honestly I don't think it's a bad idea. If this will help to reduce the number of drug addicted babies being born in this country, then why not?? If these women choose to use that money to buy drugs then that is their decision. As long as the only one they are hurting are themselves and not a defensless unborn child.

prayerfull · #5 05-15-2002, 11:45 AM

I like the idea - in a way, but I don't think that the drug addicted women should receive any type of monetary compensation.

Instead, I would suggest that there be some requirement of repeat drug addicted women that the Depo shot is MANDATORY after being arrested more than twice. Further, they should be compensated by putting them in treatment programs, and providing them with food, shelter and clothing. NO CASH. Or, it should be mandatory to continue receiving public assistance for any of their current children.

Riley · #6 05-15-2002, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by prayerfull

Instead, I would suggest that there be some requirement of repeat drug addicted women that the Depo shot is MANDATORY after being arrested more than twice. Further, they should be compensated by putting them in treatment programs, and providing them with food, shelter and clothing. NO CASH. Or, it should be mandatory to continue receiving public assistance for any of their current children. [/B]

The problem with that is when will they get caught? Some people go for months if not years without being arrested. And if you get arrested once and have two babies inbetween the damage has been done. And don't forget Depo only works for three months. It may work for repeat offenders who get get caught but what about the rest? Also, while giving money to drug addicts and acholics may seem wrong, we have to tackle one problem at a time. It is not so easy to convince someone they need treatment as it is to give them money.

shani · #7 05-16-2002, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Riley

The problem with that is when will they get caught? Some people go for months if not years without being arrested. And if you get arrested once and have two babies inbetween the damage has been done. And don't forget Depo only works for three months. It may work for repeat offenders who get get caught but what about the rest? Also, while giving money to drug addicts and acholics may seem wrong, we have to tackle one problem at a time. It is not so easy to convince someone they need treatment as it is to give them money.

I also feel that money would be easier to give to drug addicts, because more women would most likely respond to money before going into treatment. An member of my family is addicted to drugs and she had an drug addicted baby about 4 years ago. She obviously didn't take care of the baby and left him with my elderly grandmother. Although now the little boy (so far) shows no signs of mental disorder. Plus, he is one the most sweetest, loving and smartest child that I've ever seen. But, when I think about all the stress that my grandmother has put of with I wish that someone would have offered this method of birth control to my aunt.

Riley · #8 05-16-2002, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shani

But, when I think about all the stress that my grandmother has put of with I wish that someone would have offered this method of birth control to my aunt.

A lot people just think about babies of drug addicts as just laying in the hospital or living in foster homes. THe reality is a lot of children go home to family members who then take on the responsiblity. I have a friend who is a social worker and she is tressed out of her mind taking care of these cases. It is a burden to some degree on sociiety as a whole.

Are there any swkrs, educators out there who deal with this on any everyday basis?

Jody · #9 05-16-2002, 09:32 PM

I think it is a good idea. If we think about preventative measures, what better way to ensure that individuals living an undesirable lifestyle by society's standards, don't procreate, at least while they are abusing alcohol and drugs.

ClassyLady · #10 05-17-2002, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by prayerfull
I like the idea - in a way, but I don't think that the drug addicted women should receive any type of monetary compensation.

Instead, I would suggest that there be some requirement of repeat drug addicted women that the Depo shot is MANDATORY after being arrested more than twice.

I agree, I don't think that they should be given any type of money. That will just continue their use of drugs when the ultimate goal is to get them to quit.

But, I don't think that there should be mandatory birth control given because of prior arrests. Being on drugs does not strip someone of their rights, including their right to procreate. The government does not have the right to force someone to take birth control. And I don't think that legislation like that is probable. This country is famous for trying to protect the rights of the accused.

Riley · #11 05-17-2002, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassyLady

Being on drugs does not strip someone of their rights, including their right to procreate. The government does not have the right to force someone to take birth control. And I don't think that legislation like that is probable. This country is famous for trying to protect the rights of the accused.

No one is forcing people to take bc. It is vouluntary. The money would be an incentive to do so. Drug treament programs do work.....but the people have to use it to profit from it. One side says don't give them money give them rehab......i wish it were that simple. The other says give them money b/c it will lower the # of childern born addicted.
It is similar to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. One side says don't hand out condoms it promote sex.....does it really. The other side says teach abstinence..... it is the only way....then why in the 12-25 age group the fastest growing of new HIV casesin the US.

Two each hour

Sugar_N_Spice · #12 05-18-2002, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ClassyLady
I agree, I don't think that they should be given any type of money. That will just continue their use of drugs when the ultimate goal is to get them to quit.

But, I don't think that there should be mandatory birth control given because of prior arrests. Being on drugs does not strip someone of their rights, including their right to procreate. The government does not have the right to force someone to take birth control. And I don't think that legislation like that is probable. This country is famous for trying to protect the rights of the accused.

From what I gather, the Pros of this idea is that there will be less babies born to mothers who used drugs when they were pregnant, thus lowering the rate of birth defects caused by these unhealthy preganancies...Even if money was offered as an incentive (or food, whatever--it'd be sold to buy more drugs) and used to purchase more drugs--at least innocent babies will be born healthy.

The Cons of this is that in order to do this some form of incentive will have to be offered to the drug addicts, b/c as ClassyLady stated, the they have the right to reproduce. Historically our Supreme Court is liberal in terms of defending fundamental rights and laws that are inherent in the Constitution (I'm sure you Lawyers and Law Students here on GC know this!

Hey, I'm a future law student!)...Therefore, these addicts can't be forced to take birth control. Also, what is the form of birth control that last the longest? Who is going to get these addicts to consistently take the Pills? And, most addicts don't even trust the govt in the first place, so I doubt they will walk right up to a govt agency--or even a free non-profit, independent free clinic at their own discretion...They will think htey're going to be "outed" to the govt and out in jail or rehab if anyone knows about their habit...Money may entice them into taking birth control, but the addicts will without a doubt use the money for drugs...and forget about giving them food stamps--they will just exchange them for drugs...

I honestly don't see this idea working, with the Cons, in my opinion, outwaying the Pros, in terms of the feasibility of the proposed plan...(although, as I said earlier, I do like the idea--I just think it's wishful thinking...)