title: Evidence-based drug treatment practice and the child welfare system: the example of methadone.
abstract: This article examined the extent to which methadone maintenance (MM) is considered a treatment alternative for drug-dependent parents, as reflected in the social work and child welfare literature and in child welfare policies. Findings were derived from a review of 15 social work journals published from 1996 through 2002 and from a review of child welfare policies in 27 states in regard to treatment recommendations for substance-abusing parents. These reviews found that 23 articles focused on child welfare-substance abuse issues; no article specifically discussed MM as a treatment option for heroin-using parents; and of the 27 states, only three included methadone as a treatment option in their child welfare policy recommendations. Practice and policy recommendations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Center on Work and Family, School of Social Work, Boston University, MA 02215, USA. llundgre@bu.edu
authors.forename: Lena M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lundgren
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Schilling
authors.forename: Susan D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Peloquin
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012947:Social Work; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone