Medical, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Information for Parents' Attorneys

Substance Abuse

Making Parents and Domestic Violence Services Accessible to Parents Battling Substance Abuse.
Empirical research on batterer intervention programs and parenting training programs does not support rules which exclude parents struggling with substance or alcohol abuse. Moreover, such a requirement would effectively shorten already tight ASFA timelines for reunification. Finally, conditioning admission to reunification services on a period of sobriety does not constitute reasonable efforts required by Oregon law.

National Advocates for Pregnant Women (NAPW) This advocacy organization works to secure rights for vulnerable pregnant and parenting women. NAPW provides model motions and amicus briefs for cases where an allegation of drug use or methadone treatment during pregnancy is the sole basis for child welfare reports. NAPW has offered to assist in cases touching on these issues. NAPW also provides a wealth of materials from a CLE on  "Drugs, Pregnancy and Parenting: What the Experts in Medicine, Social Work and the Law Have to Say."

Understanding Substance Use Disorders, Treatment, and Family Recovery: A Guide for Legal Professionals.  This online training provides a primer on alcohol and drug addiction, substance abuse treatment and recovery, the impact on children and families, child welfare timetables and their impact on parenting, cross-system communication and collaboration, and contact information for other national resources. The tutorial is free, but registration is required. By the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare.  You can also consult their general resource page.