Idaho Bill Would Jail Pregnant Meth Users
Idaho's state Senate passed a bill (it's awaiting a vote in the Idaho House) that would allow pregnant women to be incarcerated for using meth. The goal is to reduce the number of children born who are addicted to meth, or have even been exposed to it before birth. Opponents of the bill say that the legislation will only make meth addicts less likely to seek prenatal care for fear of being arrested. They cite the fact that when South Carolina passed a similar law, there was an 80% drop in pregnant women seeking drug treatment programs.