Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Position Statement: Decriminalization of substance use disorder in pregnancy

 Abstract

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine supports evidence-based screening for and treatment of substance use disorder in pregnancy. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine strongly opposes any policies or practices that are aimed toward or result in the punishment or criminalization of substance use in pregnancy, including punitive legislation, routine biologic toxicology testing, and mandated reporting to the family regulation system (e.g., child protective services, child welfare system). The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine acknowledges and aims to eliminate the racial and ethnic disparities in which people of color are disproportionately subject to substance use screening and testing, reporting to the family regulation system, and the effects of punitive legislation.