For Mother’s Day, WHRIN highlight the need for policy and practice reforms across the many countries where children are removed from competent parents – without consideration of markers of responsible parenting. Such separation is devastating for infants, children, and parents.
- Parents who use drugs love their children
- Parents who use drugs are good parents
- Parents who use drugs must not be denied rights to raise their children.
- Instead of unjust punishment, expand resources and supports for people who
request parenting assistance. Watch this very short lived experience video clip to glimpse something of the agony experienced by parents who use drugs who have their children taken away. As a result of this inhumane practice, parents who use drugs may avoid essential health services for fear of reprisal.
Mandatory reporting to social services and all punitive legislation associated with people who use drugs who have children or who are pregnant must be eliminated. Drug use does not equate to improper parenting and all should be free to have open and honest conversations about their sexual and reproductive health, parenting practices and drug use without fear of judgement and discrimination.
