Should hospitals test pregnant women for drug use without their consent?
Hospitals, during their normal course of treatment should test pregnant women for drugs of any type, whether legal or not. Of course, the patient should be informed of such testing, but consent should not be required. Findings of illegal drugs should be used to educate and treat the mother for an addiction rather than informing law enforcement of such an activity.
Hospitals are in the business of treating people’s ailments and promoting health. Reporting of illegal drug use should be left to law enforcement. An exception to the rule is if the illegal activity is personally witnessed by hospital staff. In cases of pregnancy, the hospital’s duty and obligation is to both the mother and unborn child. In a best case scenario, both mother and child are in excellent health and the mother is abstaining from any harmful substances, regardless of its legality. In cases that are less than best, the mother is......

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Title: Should Hospitals Test Pregnant Women For Drug Use Without Their Consent?
Approximate Word Count: 818
Approximate Pages: 4 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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