In the Headlines is updated every weekday, and can also be delivered directly to you by e-mail when you sign up for our free weekly Public Agenda Alert . The U.S. Supreme Court ruled yesterday that hospitals cannot test pregnant women for illegal drugs without their consent and then give the results to police. By a 6-3 vote, the court said that a cooperative program between the public hospital and police in Charleston, S.C., amounted to unconstitutional searches. The city had argued its goal in testing pregnant women was to protect the health of the women and fetuses by forcing them into treatment or face arrest. The American Medical Association and American Public Health Association had filed briefs with the court on behalf of the women.
Additional information is available in our issue guide on Illegal Drugs .