They Followed Doctors’ Orders. The State Took Their Babies.
Digest
"Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams" delves into the harrowing experiences of mothers struggling with opioid addiction and the unintended consequences of child welfare policies. The episode focuses on Jade Dawes, a young mother who fled Arizona with her baby after facing a child abuse investigation triggered by her use of Suboxone, a medication for opioid addiction. The podcast traces the history of drug use during pregnancy and the "crack baby" myth, which fueled punitive policies against pregnant women, particularly Black women. It examines the shift in response to the opioid epidemic, moving from punishment to treatment, and the passage of the Drug Addiction Treatment Act in 2000, which paved the way for medications like Suboxone. However, the episode reveals the unintended consequences of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), which expanded access to Suboxone but also led to increased reporting of mothers to child welfare agencies. Data from Reveal reveals that nearly 3700 women were reported to child welfare agencies for taking addiction treatment medications during pregnancy. The podcast features the stories of mothers who lost custody of their newborns after being reported, highlighting the trauma and challenges they faced. It also presents the perspective of child welfare agencies, explaining their position on investigating mothers taking addiction treatment medications. The episode follows Jade and Ryan's journey to regain custody of their daughter, navigating a case plan with strict requirements and a judge's decision to keep the baby in foster care. The podcast explores the relevance of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) to Jade's case, as she is a member of the Heela River Indian community. Jade's decision to fight the case plan and challenge the state's actions, fearing further separation, leads her to flee with her daughter. The episode recounts Jade's arrest in Iowa and her subsequent release after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor, giving her a second chance to reunite with her daughter. The podcast concludes by following Jade and Ryan's continued efforts to meet the requirements of the case plan and regain full custody of their daughter, highlighting the ongoing struggle and setbacks they face.
Outlines
The Opioid Crisis and Child Welfare: A Mother's Fight
This episode explores the complex intersection of opioid addiction, child welfare policies, and the "crack baby" myth, highlighting the devastating impact on mothers and families, particularly those in the Native American community. The episode focuses on Jade Dawes, a young mother who fled Arizona with her baby after facing a child abuse investigation triggered by her use of Suboxone, a medication for opioid addiction.
Jade's Story: Fleeing for Her Child
This chapter introduces Jade Dawes, a young mother who fled Arizona with her baby due to fear of losing custody. She was taking Suboxone, a medication for opioid addiction, which triggered a child abuse investigation.
The History of Drug Use During Pregnancy and the "Crack Baby" Myth
This chapter explores the history of drug use during pregnancy and its impact on child welfare policies. It highlights the "crack baby" myth and its role in criminalizing pregnant women, particularly Black women.
The Shift to Treatment: Medication-Assisted Treatment and CARA
This chapter discusses the shift in response to the opioid epidemic, moving from punishment to treatment. The passage of the Drug Addiction Treatment Act in 2000 paved the way for medications like Suboxone. It also examines the unintended consequences of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) for pregnant women on addiction treatment medications.
The Data Reveals the Scope of the Problem
This chapter reveals the results of a data investigation by Reveal, which found nearly 3700 women reported to child welfare agencies for taking addiction treatment medications during pregnancy.
Mothers' Stories of Separation and Trauma
This chapter features the stories of mothers who lost custody of their newborns after being reported for taking addiction treatment medications. They describe the trauma and challenges they faced.
The Perspective of Child Welfare Agencies
This chapter presents the perspective of Mike Faust, former director of Arizona's Department of Child Safety, who explains the agency's position on investigating mothers taking addiction treatment medications.
Jade's Fight for Reunification: A Case Plan and Foster Care
This chapter follows Jade and Ryan's journey to regain custody of their daughter. They face a case plan with strict requirements and a judge's decision to keep the baby in foster care.
Keywords
Suboxone
A medication used to treat opioid addiction. It helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, allowing individuals to focus on recovery.
Opioid Epidemic
A public health crisis characterized by widespread addiction to opioid drugs, leading to overdoses and deaths.
Crack Baby Myth
A misconception that babies born to mothers who use crack cocaine suffer severe and irreversible brain damage. This myth fueled punitive policies against pregnant women.
Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
A federal law passed in 1978 to protect the rights of Native American children and families. It aims to prevent the removal of Native American children from their homes and communities.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
A comprehensive approach to treating addiction that combines medication with counseling and behavioral therapy.
Child Protective Services (CPS)
A government agency responsible for investigating reports of child abuse and neglect and providing services to families.
Q&A
What is Suboxone and how does it work?
Suboxone is a medication used to treat opioid addiction. It helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, allowing individuals to focus on recovery.
How did the "crack baby" myth influence child welfare policies?
The "crack baby" myth, which falsely claimed that babies born to mothers who use crack cocaine suffer severe brain damage, led to punitive policies against pregnant women, particularly Black women.
What are the unintended consequences of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) for pregnant women on addiction treatment medications?
CARA, while expanding access to Suboxone, also led to increased reporting of mothers to child welfare agencies, often resulting in investigations and separation from their newborns.
What are the key findings of the data investigation conducted by Reveal?
Reveal's investigation found nearly 3700 women reported to child welfare agencies for taking addiction treatment medications during pregnancy, highlighting the widespread impact of these policies.
What are the arguments for and against the involvement of child welfare agencies in cases involving mothers taking addiction treatment medications?
Proponents argue that child welfare agencies have a responsibility to protect children from potential harm, while critics argue that these policies are often based on outdated stereotypes and can lead to unnecessary separation of families.
What are the challenges faced by mothers who lose custody of their newborns due to taking addiction treatment medications?
These mothers face significant challenges, including trauma, separation from their children, legal battles, and the stigma associated with addiction.
What are the potential solutions to address the issue of mothers being reported to child welfare agencies for taking addiction treatment medications?
Potential solutions include reforming state laws, providing more education and training for healthcare providers and child welfare workers, and promoting family-centered approaches to addiction treatment.
Show Notes
Jade Dass was taking medication to treat her addiction to opioids before she became pregnant. Scientific studies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that taking addiction-treatment medications during pregnancy leads to the best outcomes for both mothers and babies. But after Dass delivered a healthy daughter, the hospital reported her to the Arizona Department of Child Safety.
Even as medications like Suboxone help pregnant women safely treat addiction, taking them can trigger investigations by child welfare agencies that separate mothers from their newborns. Why are women like Dass being investigated for using addiction-treatment medications during pregnancy?
To understand the scope of the dragnet, reporter Shoshana Walter, data reporter Melissa Lewis and a team of Reveal researchers and lawyers filed 100 public records requests, putting together the first-ever tally of how often women are reported to child welfare agencies for taking prescription drugs during pregnancy.
This week on Reveal, in an episode we first aired in July 2023, we follow Dass as she grapples with losing custody of her baby—and makes one last desperate attempt to keep her family together.
For more about Dass and other mothers facing investigation for taking medication-assisted treatment, read Walter’s investigation in collaboration with The New York Times Magazine.
This is an update of an episode that originally aired in July 2023.
- Support Reveal’s journalism at Revealnews.org/donatenow
- Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get the scoop on new episodes at Revealnews.org/newsletter
Table of contents
United States
