Under what conditions is it ethical to offer incentives to encourage drug-using women to use long-acting forms of contraception?
OBJECTIVE
To stimulate debate by examining ethical issues raised by Project Prevention, a US-based organization that offers $US300 to addicted individuals who agree to either undergo surgical sterilization or use long-acting forms of contraception.


METHODS
An analysis of key ethical questions raised by Project Prevention.


RESULTS
The important issues for debate are: (i) what are the reproductive rights of drug-using women; (ii) does a substantial cash incentive undermine the ability of addicted women to make free and informed decisions about long-term contraception; and (iii) how can we best assist addicted women to access good reproductive health care and obtain treatment for their addiction?


CONCLUSIONS
We need more research on ways in which small non-cash incentives for reversible methods of contraception could be used in a morally acceptable and effective way to promote the sexual, reproductive and general health of addicted women.
The University of Queensland, UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, QLD, Australia. j.lucke@uq.edu.au
Jayne C
JC
Lucke
Wayne D
WD
Hall
D026688:Bioethical Issues; D003267:Contraception / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned / Q000941:ethics; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000941:ethics / Q000600:supply & distribution; D046269:Reproductive Rights / Q000941:ethics; D012201:Reward; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders