WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Groups prefer treatment over prison for pregnant women who use drugs

Groups prefer treatment over prison for pregnant women who use drugs

(Columbia-AP) March 13, 2003 - A survey sponsored by women's rights groups says a majority of South Carolinians prefer treatment to prison for pregnant women who use drugs.

The survey of 600 registered voters found 39 percent of respondents supported getting the mother into a drug treatment program. Twenty-seven percent would make the treatment mandatory with the threat of jail time if it is not completed. Ten percent supported prison time.

The South Carolina Advocates for Pregnant Women helped pay for the survey after Regina McKnight of Conway was sentenced to 12 years in prison for homicide by child abuse after her daughter was stillborn with cocaine in her bloodstream.

posted 7:55am by Chris Rees