Brittany: Why wouldn't someone help me?
CHOICE/LESS
English - June 28, 2016 01:29 - 27 minutes - 25.2 MB - ★★★★★ - 111 ratingsPersonal Journals Society & Culture abortion reproductive rights reproductive justice women's rights supreme court serial storytelling pro-choice pro-life contraception Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
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A 2014 amendment to Tennessee's fetal homicide bill allowed the state to charge pregnant women with aggravated assault, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, if they have pregnancy complications after illegal narcotic use. The first law of its kind, it opened the door for the state to charge women for drug use, and at least in one case, for not wearing a seatbelt while pregnant. In theory, the law gave addicted pregnant women two options: get treatment or go to jail. But in reality, the state did little to ensure that treatment was available for women who needed it.
Brittany Hudson, of Knoxville, Tennessee, tells us her story of addiction, loss, and a long road to recovery.