Blancett’s Interim Study Explores the Role of Law Enforcement and Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorder

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa will host an interim study tomorrow (Wednesday, September 20, 2023) to explore Oklahoma’s criminal legal system and its interpretations and enforcement of Oklahoma’s laws regarding pregnant women and new mothers with substance use disorder.

The study will be held in Room 4S5 at the Oklahoma State Capitol from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. before the Judicial Criminal Committee of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, chaired by Rep. Rande Worthen.

Currently, Oklahoma county law enforcement are charging pregnant women and women who have recently given birth who have a substance use disorder with criminal charges. This includes felony charges of child abuse, neglect and endangerment that results in incarceration and poses ongoing challenges, which lead to the mother’s inability to care for the child.

The end result also has been that pregnant women who have substance use disorder do not obtain prenatal care for fear of being reported and prosecuted, which causes further challenges both for the mother and the child and subsequently for the State of Oklahoma.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the number of pregnant women diagnosed with substance use disorder has increase fourfold in Oklahoma since 1999, so this issue is growing and needs to be addressed from a resource and policy perspective.

Presenting at the interim study will include:

Dana Sussman, Interim Executive Director Pregnancy Justice

Angela Hawkins, M.D., Chair, Oklahoma Section of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Stephanie Pierce, OB Medical Director, Oklahoma Mothers and Newborns Affected by Opioids (OMNO)

Kaushiki Chowdhury, Family Defense Practice Lead, Still She Rises

Heath Hayes, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Tough As A Mother campaign