Paul A. Logli, a prosecutor for the state of Illinois argues that it is the government's duty to enforce health of unborn fetuses, and that the mothers of these victims should be prosecuted. One of his views is that drugs are addictive and that legal and illegal drugs harm not only the unborn child but the mother as well. Some times these types of drugs won't kill the fetus but it will affect him/her for remainder of their life (Logli, 84).

A 1988 survey of hospitals showed that as many as 375,000 infants may be affected by maternal cocaine use during their pregnancy each year. More recently a study at a hospital in Detroit showed that 42.7 percent of

"The abuse or neglect of a child at any time during childhood can exact a profound toll on the child as well as on society as a whole," the state's high court said in its ruling. "However, the consequences of abuse or neglect which takes place after birth often pale in comparison to those resulting from abuse suffered by the viable fetus before birth. This policy of prevention supports a reading of the word 'person' to include viable fetuses" (Lewin). According to all the gathered information we just saw that both sides have their grounds in which to argue, but we must not let ourselves think that a mother cannot stop an addiction for something or someone like a son or a daughter. To let our future generation live a meaningful life, we must do what is right and prosecute mothers who abuse drugs or alcohol while they are pregnant.

Why does one have to wait for the same crime to repeat itself three or four times? Personally I find this a little bit invalid. It is difficult to see this problem one time, but three and four times just doesn't do it. A professional should evaluate a person who uses drugs during their pregnancy, and if she is able to reduce her drug intake to a maximum level, then she should be evaluated at least once a month there after. If she is not capable of reducing her intake she should get medical assistance.

A woman can get up to a Manslaughter conviction if she is found guilty for killing her own baby. The problem with this is that the mother might not know that she is pregnant until it is too late. When a cocaine mother has been convicted of a manslaughter charge, it has been because of her guilty pleas without the deliberation of public trials.

Involuntary detention is another method of rehabilitating the drug abuser. Many studies have shown that doctors do not like to see "pregnant cocaine patients." "It took a 23-year-old pregnant woman who 'used cocaine until the day she found out she was pregnant' one month and at least three physician rejections to find a doctor who would treat her, the Tampa Tribune reports. Janell Rinebold told her original OB/GYN that she had used cocaine, following which she 'got a letter saying the doctor wouldn't treat her anymore.' A second and third physician also rejected her. Rinebold said, "They treated me like I was a $2 whore" ("Pregnancy and Drug Use"). The problem with drug users trying to get help is that many doctors are not willing to help out the individual who need the most help.

Not only is cocaine a threat to the fetus and the mother, but also alcohol plays a big role in substance abuse. A recent government survey indicated that, between 1991 and 1995, there was a substantial increase in alcohol use among pregnant women. Four times more pregn

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Approximate Word count = 1858
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)