We oppose Positive Prevention/CRACK's approach to addressing the problem of drug-affected births and chemically-addicted women who become pregnant.

Positive Prevention's approach is dangerous because the use of payment as an incentive to receive birth control undermines the very notion of reproductive choice and drug treatment. Positive Prevention's strategy is coercive because it targets people during a significantly vulnerable period due to their chemical addiction, lack of resources, and economic desperation. Chemically-addicted people who are most likely to accept birth control for the $200.00 cash are people who, because of poverty, also experience disproportionate rates of sexual and physical violence, HIV, mental illness, homelessness, instability, imprisonment, death row sentences, and post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of oppression.

Positive Prevention/CRACK does not help children. The assumption that drug-exposed babies will inevitably fail is a myth. Drug exposure at birth is not a guarantee of failure. A child's environment has the greatest impact on that child's ability to thrive. Therefore, we support long-term drug treatment, low-cost or free prenatal and health care programs, affordable childcare, and educational and employment opportunities.

Caring communities do not coerce women into not having children but seeks ways to enhance the lives of all of its members.

Signed,

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