Motherhood and responsibility...

Much has been made in the press lately about possible laws holding an expectant mother accountable for abusing drugs and alchohol during pregnancy. Some groups claim this would be an invasion of the pregnant woman's rights, others feel punishment is due when you bring an addicted baby into the world.

I would have to side with the latter. Drug abuse is against the law, pregnant or not. Any one of us showing evidence of abusing illegal drugs would find ourselves on the wrong side of the law. So if a woman brings into the world a child who is obviously suffering withdrawals or frug-related birth defects, she should be held responsible.

I am pro-choice, but only because I believe that there are a very few situations where abortion is a consideration. If an addict cannot bring herself to care about the life growing within her, then an early and safe abortion may possibly be a better alternative.

Of course, this is not to say that a drug abuser cannot bring a relatively healthy child to term. I know a child who spent 28 days in the hospital after his birth, because his mother abused painkillers during her pregnancy. He has few health obvious health problems, but he does have a maternal unit incapable of caring for him, or anyone, but herself. Such is the addicts personality. This beautiful child suffered some at the beginning of his life because of his mother's selfishness and bad habits, but he will suffer more over the years as her habit continues.

Identify these women at the birth of the child. Make them pay. Force them into intense rehab programs that work. Teach them to care about someone or something other than themselves and their habits. Make them into viable mothers, or take their children away. They made the choice to have children, they need to make a choice to raise them, nurture them and love them as well.