Summarizes and analyzes the following issues in developing policy to address the problems of drug-exposed infants: (1) degree of harm; (2) identification; (3) interventions; (4) needs assessment; (5) child protection; and (6) drug treatment. Significant interventions, including expanded prenatal care and drug treatment programs, are proposed. (SLD)

Reviews recent actions by state legislatures and courts in response to the problems of drug-exposed newborns. Also discusses civil and criminal court decisions regarding women who use drugs during pregnancy. State policy responses cannot be developed without a detailed assessment of the state's resources. (SLD)

Addresses the issue of drug-exposed infants from the perspective of a reproductive rights attorney. States genuinely interested in promoting healthy children will stop ignoring women or treating them as potential child abusers and will change the current punitive legal focus to a focus on treatment. (SLD)

Discusses treatment modalities for drug-abusing women. The following are barriers that prevent women, particularly pregnant women, from getting treatment they need: (1) lack of programs admitting women; (2) lack of programs tailored to women; and (3) fear and isolation experienced by drug-abusing women. (SLD)