San Francisco Drug Abuse Treatment on Demand (TOD) was initially implemented in July 1997. Priorities for the first year of funding included drug treatment for women. Three outcomes were identified that could be measured and would be affected by the implementation of TOD. The hypotheses were that fewer women would deliver drug exposed infants, more pregnant women would have access to drug treatment services, and that these two outcomes would also lead to fewer newborns entering foster care at birth. Analyzed data included county hospital discharge data, foster care data and drug treatment data. The study period was July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1999, covering time before and after TOD initiation. A total of 339 mothers and infants were identified as being exposed to drugs during pregnancy based on discharge diagnostic codes. Preliminary analysis found a decrease in the proportion of mother-infant dyads with drug discharge diagnostic codes pre-TOD (6.6%) to post-TOD (4.8%). The proportion of drug-exposed newborns discharged to foster care also decreased post-TOD (45% vs. 35%). However, of those women who used drugs during pregnancy, fewer received drug treatment the year before their pregnancy post-TOD (24% vs. 15%). During and after pregnancy, the proportion of women receiving drug treatment did not change significantly pre- and post-TOD. Although the proportion of infants born drug-exposed and placed into foster care decreased after TOD, these improvements did not appear to be associated with whether or not the women received drug treatment. Research funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
Learning Objectives: 1)Describe characteristics and major issues for incarcerated and newly released women. 2)Discuss programs and strategies for linking incarcerated and newly released women and their children to treatment and other services. 3)Identify components and partnerships needed in a community-based comprehensive system of care for incarcerated women. 4)Identify barriers to drug treatment services among pregnant women. 5)Discuss policy implications in terms of ensuring a comprehensive system of care for women who use illegal drugs. 6)Identify outcomes for measuring the impact of local programs and policies. 7)Discuss future initiatives and their potential impact on women's services.
Keywords: Access and Services, Vulnerable Populations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.