Do you think a person who gets pregnant and does drugs through their pregnancy that ends in a miscarriage or a stillbirth should be charged with child neglect?

Question

I was just recently reading up on the states that prosecute women who use drugs during their pregnancy that ended in either a miscarriage or a stillbirth and was wondering: 
Do you personally think that when a woman uses illicit drugs during a pregnancy should they be charged with child neglect? What state do you live in and what's the law in your state? Do you think it should be changed?

Accepted Answer

No. We don’t want to open the door where having a miscarriage is considered to be a  criminal offense. And it would be hard to prove the drugs were the cause of the miscarriage and not some chromosomal abnormality, especially in the first trimester, which is when most miscarriages happen.

Answer

Since the best answer was taken. 
I’m gonna go with how I’m 100% against criminalizing drug addicts. Addiction is a mental health issue that really only rehab can help them over come. Having a non violent drug user locked up with no rehabilitation for their drug addiction could potentially be fatal. Furthermore I firmly believe jails should only house violent criminals and ppl who have proven to be a menace to society. Someone with a drug addiction does fit that profile imo

Answer

Yes absolutely!!!! Could you imagine if women who suffered from addiction actually felt comfortable going to their doctor or seeking help? I would much rather them be too afraid of getting jailed if it doesn't work out than for them to seek treatment or care for their pregnancy. Additionally, I think these women should be too afraid to go in if they are bleeding out or undergoing other miscarriage/still birth complications and die at home instead of clogging up our emergency rooms. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

Answer

I said yes too soon, after reading the comments I definitely see the other side, how could you prove drugs were the cause and many other things to consider. I would vote no now

Answer

I don’t think that prosecuting anyone who used drugs or drinking that ended up miscarrying because I agree with the post above because it would be cruel and hard to prove. Also many women do not know they’re pregnant until they’re further along. Now prosecuting women who use drugs and drink that results in children born addicted or with FASD or other disabilities due to their irresponsibility is another thing. My biological mother had eight kids, five of them born with absolutely debilitating disabilities and continued to keep having children then getting us taken away.

Answer

No because drugs are an addiction and becoming pregnant doesn't automatically stop a woman from being an addict. 
A better idea is to have more resources for helping pregnant women who have an addiction to stop using drugs or to prevent people from becoming addicted to drugs in the first place.

Answer

Can anyone who said yes tell me their reasoning?  I don’t understand how criminalizing miscarriage or stillbirth because of drugs make any sense.  I think going through that is painful enough, not to mention it would be so hard to prove.

Answer

No. What states allow this type of prosecution? I’m sure mine doesn’t.

Do you think a person who gets pregnant and does drugs through their pregnancy that ends in a miscarriage or a stillbirth should be charged with child neglect?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey