title: Addicted mothers to be criminalized in Tennessee.
abstract: In April 2014 Tennessee acted to criminalize pregnant women who use illegal drugs and have an offspring "considered harmed". We discuss seven major reasons why this law is wrong and dangerous.  Criminalizing vulnerable, addicted mothers scare them away from treatment. The new law will practically target the poor, vulnerable, uninsured non-white pregnant woman. It is hoped that, similar to previous cases, the American justice system will once again reverse the decision and allow the true American values to prevail.
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hutson
mesh_terms: D057237:Criminals / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011247:Pregnancy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013714:Tennessee / Q000453:epidemiology