While admirable, CRACK takes wrong tack

Monday, November 17, 1997

While admirable, CRACK takes wrong tack

DRUGS:

A project aimed at curbing drug-dependent babies fails to focus
on the real problem ­ addictionThe birth of thousands of crack
babies each year is cause for alarm. There are several ways to go
about alleviating this tragic epidemic, but offering money to
female crack addicts to receive tubal ligation is certainly not the
solution.

After adopting four sibling crack babies, Barbara Harris decided
it was time to take action against drug addicts giving birth to
"crack babies." Children of crack addicts exhibit learning
disorders, attention deficits and poor social skills. Harris was
disappointed that the state had not taken more action to decrease
the number of babies born to mothers addicted to drugs. The state’s
inaction motivated her to take on the problem herself.

Harris formed an organization called Children Requiring A Caring
Kommunity (CRACK), hoping to stem the number of crack-baby births
by paying $200 for addict-mothers to get their tubes tied, $50 for
a contraceptive implant, or $20 for an injectable
contraceptive.

While Harris’ concern with curbing the birth of crack babies is
commendable, the way she’s combatting the problem is misguided. The
$200 she is offering to drug addicts could be used in other, more
productive ways. Instead, the money should go toward funding
programs to rehabilitate addicts or to keep people from doing
drugs.

Harris’ program may cut the number of babies born already
addicted to drugs, but it does nothing to help mothers recover from
addiction. And this is where the focus needs to be.

We need to address the root of society’s drug problems, and
simply coercing addicts with money is no cure for a larger problem.
Helping addicts recover from addiction is a worthy cause;
persuading women to get tubal ligation is a disgusting and
ethically questionable act.

In addition, placing $200 in the hands of a drug addict is
dangerous. Who knows how the women will spend the money? The women
can walk away from the clinic and purchase another $200 worth of
drugs. This does nothing to fight the real problem we’re facing
­ drug use among women, namely, pregnant women.

The real issue is that women use drugs, have unprotected sex and
then give birth to "crack babies." What Harris’ program attempts to
do is address the end product ­ the babies. But the more
important goal should be to focus on fighting the problem where it
begins ­ getting women off drugs.

Although Harris’ current program isn’t an answer to the drug
problem, her initiative should be applauded. She needs to redirect
her focus and use her resources more valuably. Putting $200 into
rehabilitation centers, or working to help people get off drugs,
will go a lot further in curbing the number of crack babies.
Handing money to drug addicts is immoral. Such measures are
coercive and potentially dangerous.