OPINION: PREGNANT PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS NEED TREATMENT, NOT CRIMINALIZATION

STAT (2/08) -- Though it may be hard for many to fathom, even pregnant people and new parents can have active substance use disorders. They need support, not criminalization. [...] Overdose is now a leading cause of death during or shortly after pregnancy. [...] Columbia University researchers recently reported that drug overdose deaths among pregnant and postpartum people increased by 81% between 2017 and 2020. Cont.