Cocaine-Exposed Infants: Social, Legal, and Public Health Issues

by James A. Inciardi, Hilary L. Surratt, Christine A. Saum

Overview

Research in the mid-1980s on the effects of prenatal drug abuse characterized cocaine-exposed children as moody, inconsolable, less socially interactive and less able to bond than other children. It was concluded that these conditions were irreversible. However, methodological problems in these early studies, combined with the fact that cocaine-using mothers abuse other drugs as well, has left the research and public health communities uncertain as to the cause and effect relationship between cocaine use and pre//postnatal consequences.

Cocaine-Exposed Infants examines what is known about the problem and unravels some of the contradictions in the literature. The book also explores, in depth, the media frenzy over 'c

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780803970878
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	04/09/1997
Series:	Drugs, Health, and Social Policy , #5
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.30(d)

Table of Contents

Cocaine, Crack, and Women
'Cocaine Babies'
The Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Cocaine
Prenatal Cocaine Use and the Prosecution of Pregnant Addicts

Editorial Reviews

This brief book examines what is currently known about the effects of cocaine use during pregnancy on maternal, fetal, and infant well-being, with a focus on social, legal, and public health issues. Its purpose is to critically review the literature related to the effects of cocaine during pregnancy. The emphasis is the impact of cocaine use on infants, exploring some of the contradictions that have been prevalent in the literature and raising the relevant policy issues generated by the research findings. This book is aimed at substance-use researchers, policymakers, and pediatricians as well as maternal and child advocates. It is also a useful book for legislators who are interested in the facts behind the ""cocaine epidemic."" The book is an easy-to-read analysis by credible researchers in the field of substance use. This book is an important effort to review what is known to date about cocaine and maternal, fetal, and infant well-being and to explore some of the myths that have grown up over the course of the ""cocaine epidemic,"" many of which originated in the research literature. However, although it is well referenced, in some areas it seems lean and not as well documented as expected. For individuals active in perinatal substance use research or treatment, many of the issues raised in the book will be familiar.

Arden Handler

Researchers in drug and alcohol studies critique the literature of the 1980s, and especially the methodologies underlying much of it, concerning the effect a mother's cocaine use has on the unborn child, and present the latest findings from the second generation of investigation. They also explore the media frenzy over crack babies and the draconian legislation that criminalizes drug use during pregnancy. Paper edition (unseen), $17.95. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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