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Legislation and Policies Addressing Substance Abuse
Find resources that address the topic of substance abuse and child welfare in Federal and State legislation and policies.
Substance Abuse Legislation Database
National Conference of State Legislatures
A regularly updated database tracking State legislative action on substance abuse, including bill numbers, sponsors, bill summaries and content, and links to bills enacted by the legislatures.
Alcohol Policy Information System
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Online resource providing detailed information on a wide variety of alcohol-related policies in the United States at both the Federal and State levels.
Federal legislation
Methamphetamine: Background, Prevalence, and Federal Drug Control Policies (PDF - 217 KB)
Congressional Research Service (2007)
Analyzes the prevalence of methamphetamine use, summarizes past congressional efforts to address the problem, and provides recommendations to control illicit methamphetamine use and production.
Prenatal Substance Exposure (PDF - 1000 KB)
National Abandoned Infants Assistance Resource Center (2008)
Includes a review of legislation addressing prenatal substance use in the areas of testing, reporting, prosecution, and receipt of welfare benefits for pregnant women who use drugs.
Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement (2002)
View Abstract
Examines policy, program, and treatment implications as they relate to the Adoption and Safe Families Act.
Substance Exposed Infants: Noteworthy Policies and Practices (PDF - 145 KB)
National Abandoned Infant Assistance Resource Center (2006)
Outlines relevant policy issues and challenges facing States regarding in utero substance exposure and highlights the efforts of some States to address the issues.
Substance-Exposed Newborns: New Federal Law Raises Some Old Issues (PDF - 116 KB)
National Conference of State Legislatures (2004)
Describes the Federal law intended to protect children who are affected by prenatal exposure to illegal drugs, provides an overview of existing State reporting laws, discusses the role of child protective services, and highlights the importance of prevention.
Understanding Patterns of Substance Abuse Treatment for Women Involved With Child Welfare: The Influence of the Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA)
Green, Rockhill, & Furrer
American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 32(2), 2006
View Abstract
Uses statewide administrative data collected before and after the implementation of ASFA to explore its impact on patterns of treatment service utilization by child welfare-involved clients.
State statutes series publications
State laws and policies
Comparative Analysis of State Statutes: Reporting, Assessing, and Intervening With Prenatal Substance Abuse
Kang
Social Policy Journal, 2(4), 2003
View Abstract
Analysis of statutory requirements in 10 States regarding prenatal substance abuse reporting, related healthcare assessments, and State interventions with reported women and their families.
Drug Endangered Children (PDF - 1290 KB)
American Prosecutors Research Institute (2010)
Reviews legislation designed to protect children endangered by drug use.
State Responses to Substance Abuse Among Pregnant Women (PDF - 636 KB)
Guttmacher Institute (2000)
State responses to substance abuse among pregnant women, including a table of State laws that address the needs of pregnant women who use drugs.
Treatment of Alcohol and Other Substance Use Disorders: What Legislators Need to Know (PDF - 5470 KB)
National Conference of State Legislatures (2004)
Designed for State legislators and their staff, this report provides information on the prevalence of substance abuse and strategies for treatment, and includes a checklist for evaluating a State's treatment system and a list of national resources on the topic.