Social History ( Vignette)
Simone Harrison a 25 year old African American female, who is 6 months pregnant and unemployed, arrived at the University Hospital's Women Clinic in Oakland, CA for prenatal care. Ms. Harrison made the appointment because she has not been feeling well lately. During the intake process , she discloses to the nurse that this is only her second visit to the doctor since finding out she was pregnant. Ms. Harrison's records also contain information about her mental status, most notably that she was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2009. Her boyfriend, the baby's father, decided he wasn't ready to be a father and left shortly after finding out about the baby. Fear, abandonment, and uncertainty about the future escalate stress levels consequently resulting in her experiencing auditory hallucinations. When this happens, the client, who is uninsured, self medicates with cocaine to manage her symptoms. The nurse who works in the clinic suspects that Simone is using drugs because according to her "she looks like the type". Acting out of contempt for the patient and concern for the unborn child, the nurse is ready to drug test Ms. Harrison, without her knowledge if necessary, to confirm her suspicions.
Context of the Case
Drug (alcohol, tobacco & cocaine) addiction is accepted by the medical community as a disease. The medical model explains that consuming drugs excessively is a symptom of this medical condition. However, those in power that adhere to a conservative ideology do not accept the medical model's explanation as to why pregnant women would continue to use drugs knowing the adverse affect this will have on the fetus. Historically punitive measures involving incarceration and subsequent removal o...
... middle of paper ...
... Substance use during pregnancy varies by race and ethnicity. Retrieved from http://www/bing.com/search?q=data +spotlight+substance+use+during+pregnancy+varies+by+race+and+ethincity&form
Chang, G. (n.d.). Alcohol Screening Instruments for Pregnant Women. Retrieved from
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh25-3/204-209.htm
Mohopatra, J.D. (2013). Unshackling Addiction: A public health approach to drug use during pregnancy. Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender & Society. Vol. 26(2) pp.241-274.
Paltrow, L. (1999). Punishment and Prejudice: judging drug-using pregnant women. Retrieved from http://www.advocatesforpregnantwomen.org/articles/ruddick.htm
Taillac, C., Goler, N., Armstrong, M.A., Haley, K. & Osejo, V. (2007). Early Start: An
Integrated Model of Substance Abuse Intervention for Pregnant Women. The Permanente Journal, 11(3), 5-11.
Tackett, J. L., Lahey, B. B., van Hulle, C., Waldman, I., Krueger, R. F., & Rathouz, P. J. (2013).
Drug use has been an ongoing problem in our country for decades. The use of drugs has been the topic of many political controversies throughout many years. There has been arguments that are for legalizing drugs and the benefits associated with legalization. Also, there are some who are opposed to legalizing drugs and fear that it will create more problems than solve them. Conservatives and liberals often have different opinions for controversial topics such as “the war on drugs,” but it is necessary to analyze both sides in order to gain a full understanding of their beliefs and to decide in a change in policy is in order.
Di Martino, P., Agniel, R., David, K., Templer, C., Gaillard, J., Denys, P., & Botto, H. (2006).
During the late 1970’s a movement began with state prosecutors using child abuse, endangerment statues and charges of provisions of drugs to a minor to prosecute pregnant women who used illicit substances during their pregnancies. The prosecution of a pregnant heroine user in the State of California with a felony child endangerment charge was one of the first of such prosecutions in 1977 (Stone-Manista, 2009, pp.823-856). This was the catalyst for the often biased punishment of pregnant drug addicts under the scope of the law. It is this vein of prosecution that struck ...
Wynn, D., Kaufman, M., Montalban, X., Vollmer, T., Simon, J., Elkins, J., I Rose, J. W. (2010).
Zhang, Y. B., Harwood, J., Williams, A., Ylänne-McEwen, V., Wadleigh, P. M., & Thimm, C.
Increasing numbers of women are abusing drugs during pregnancy and thus endangering the well-being and lives of their children as well as themselves. The spreading abuse of phencyclidine (PCP), cocaine, and cocaine's potent form "crack," added to the more well-known addictive narcotics such as heroin, has intensified concerns about the implications of maternal drug use for unborn children.
Cain, M. L., Wasserman, S. A., Minorsky, P. V., Jackson, R. B., & Urry, L. A. (2008). Campbell Reece (8 ed.).
Substance abuse during pregnancy can have a negative force on the health and wellness of not only the fetus, but that of the mother. The harmful effects of medications, alcohol and illegal drugs on an unborn child can be devastating and can have significant consequences to its use. Sometimes the effects can be faced and treated, and other times the outcome is a lifelong challenge. During the prenatal period, it is important that new mothers are informed of the different types of abuse, how they may affect the fetus, and the adverse conditions their child may be faced with before and after birth.
Drug legalization is an enduring question that presently faces our scholars. This issue embraces two positions: drugs should not be legalized and drugs should be legalized. These two positions contain an array of angles that supports each issue. This brief of the issues enables one to consider the strengths and weakness of each argument, become aware of the grounds of disagreement and agreement and ultimately form an opinion based upon the positions stated within the articles. In the article “Against the Legalization of Drugs”, by James Q. Wilson, the current status of drugs is supported. Wilson believes if a drug such as heroin were legalized there would be no financial or medical reason to avoid heroin usage; therefore, anybody could afford it (367). Wilson stated that during 1960’s, British physicians were allowed to prescribe heroin to addicts until the number of addicts increased fivefold. He argued that cocaine is not a “victimless crime.” Addicts victimize children by neglect and spouses by not providing (370). Wilson upholds that illegality of drugs increases crime because users need to pay for their habit (372). He believes the benefit of illegal drugs is it forces patients who enter under legal compulsion to complete their treatment due to the pressure and drug-education programs in the schools (374). Wilson is convinced the difference between nicotine and cocaine is that while tobacco shortens one’s life, cocaine debase it and destroys the addicts humanity (375). Wilson’s argument is strong because he demonstrates his knowledge of the subject and supports it with many clear, scientific facts and historical examples of drug usage. He interprets facts differently by seeing “logical fallacy and factual error” (371) in what other perceive as being a true. He also acknowledges his opposition by addressing how the advocates of legalization respond to his position. Wilson recognizes that that he may be wrong about his conclusions of drug legalization. Yet he states if he is wrong, money will be saved, while if he is right, and the legalizers prevail, then millions of people, thousands of infants and hundreds of neighborhoods will live a life of disease (377-8). In the article “Drug Policy and the Intellectuals,” by William J. Bennentt, drug legalization was not supported. Bennett wants to address the “root causes” of drugs by means of...
Kobau, R., Zack, M. M., Manderscheid, R., Palpant, R. G., Morales, D. S., Luncheon, C., et al.
It is crucial for a woman to maintain a good health throughout the whole pregnancy stage. Not only for her sake but also for the well-being of the yet to be born baby. Anything that is consumed during a pregnancy will affect both the mother and the growing fetus (child). Once a woman gets pregnant it is recommended that she changes her eating habits, exercise, the regular visit to the doctor office and make the changes that are needed for a healthy pregnancy. Most importantly, a pregnant woman should always avoid substances abuse because of the threat that they pose.
People always think that nothing bad would ever happen to them, or that they would never make the same mistakes as other mothers. The fact of the matter is it can happen to anyone and it will happen if people are not careful. 21 % of women use illegal drugs and alcohol during the nine months of pregnancy. Whether it is just one drink or one hit or this is an everyday occurrence; it can affect the baby mentally and physically for the rest of its life.
Whelan, R., Conrod, P. J., Poline, J., Lourdusamy, A., Banaschewski, T., Barker, G. J, Bellgrove, M. A.,
Barker, V., Giles, H., Hajek, C., Ota, H., Noels, K., Lim, T-S., & Somera, L. (2008).