In 1998, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that a live fetus older than 24 weeks is officially a person. That act, they said, would violate state drug laws. In response, South Carolina Attorney General Charles Condon instructed doctors statewide to report to police any evidence that they uncover of illegal drug use by patients. Dozens of prosecutions have resulted, with a handful of women being sent to prison for up to three years. In Myrtle Beach, a young woman is scheduled to stand trial this spring on murder charges after she giving birth to a still-born child last year.
Doctors say the mother tested positive for cocaine at delivery.
They say her drug use could be partially to blame for the death of the unborn child. Ms. Griffin and her lawyers say it is that attitude that proves their point that the drug tests are more about law enforcement than public health. Because of this, I will never trust a doctor again. I hope that they prevail and take the offending jurisdictions to the cleaners. I am not advocating cocaine use in pregnancy, or saying that it is harmless.