Illinois Bill Sparks Debate: Protecting Drug Addicts or Children?
Submitted by MAGA Student
Posted 9 days ago
Here's the latest on a controversial piece of legislation in Illinois that has Republicans up in arms. Senate Bill 3136, which recently passed the Illinois General Assembly, aims to remove the mandate that the Department of Children and Family Services must report newborn babies’ positive toxicology screens to law enforcement. This move, according to opponents, will disincentivize drug addicts from getting clean and deter them from seeking treatment.
State Senator Steve McClure, R-Springfield, argues that the bill will actually deter drug addicts from seeking treatment. He stated, “These are tools not to punish mom, but these are tools for the best interest of these children. This [punitive provision] is to help mom and motivate mom to get better.” He also pointed out the serious health issues that can arise in newborns exposed to substances.
The bill’s sponsor, state Senator Cristina Castro, D-Elgin, introduced the legislation because numerous studies have shown that women who suffer from substance abuse avoid care based on concerns that clinicians will report them to the authorities. She believes that this bill will incentivize pregnant women with substance-use disorders to seek out prenatal care and treatment recovery programs.
However, opponents argue that a baby testing positive for drugs at birth is proof that the child is being neglected and abused, and DCFS should be mandated to report that neglect and abuse to law enforcement. State Senator Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, stated, “If that baby has been born with narcotics in their system and is addicted to drugs, the system should be activated. The system should be alerted because we as a society, it’s our job to protect that child … end of story.”
This bill has yet to be sent to the governor for further action, but it has already sparked a heated debate between Republicans and Democrats in Illinois. Republicans argue that this bill will only serve to protect drug addicts and put innocent children at risk, while Democrats believe that it will encourage drug addicts to seek treatment and ultimately benefit both the mother and child.
Sources:
tastingtable.com
thenationalpulse.com
justthenews.com
State Senator Steve McClure, R-Springfield, argues that the bill will actually deter drug addicts from seeking treatment. He stated, “These are tools not to punish mom, but these are tools for the best interest of these children. This [punitive provision] is to help mom and motivate mom to get better.” He also pointed out the serious health issues that can arise in newborns exposed to substances.
The bill’s sponsor, state Senator Cristina Castro, D-Elgin, introduced the legislation because numerous studies have shown that women who suffer from substance abuse avoid care based on concerns that clinicians will report them to the authorities. She believes that this bill will incentivize pregnant women with substance-use disorders to seek out prenatal care and treatment recovery programs.
However, opponents argue that a baby testing positive for drugs at birth is proof that the child is being neglected and abused, and DCFS should be mandated to report that neglect and abuse to law enforcement. State Senator Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, stated, “If that baby has been born with narcotics in their system and is addicted to drugs, the system should be activated. The system should be alerted because we as a society, it’s our job to protect that child … end of story.”
This bill has yet to be sent to the governor for further action, but it has already sparked a heated debate between Republicans and Democrats in Illinois. Republicans argue that this bill will only serve to protect drug addicts and put innocent children at risk, while Democrats believe that it will encourage drug addicts to seek treatment and ultimately benefit both the mother and child.
Sources:
thenationalpulse.com
justthenews.com
