Women who use drugs or alcohol during pregnancy have historically been treated in a punitive manner. This book brings together a number of Canadian authors who are working and writing about substance use and pregnancy, mothering, harm reduction, and woman-centred services. All the contributors are directly involved in providing and managing services. They propose that drugs are one factor among many that shape pregnancy and mothering and, although drug use is a risk, it is a manageable one. They advocate providing compassionate care to all pregnant women, mothers, and their children.

This book is unique and timely. It will provide practitioners and researchers with valuable information about maternal drug use, harm reduction, best practices, and policy. It provides a groundbreaking critical and feminist template for organizations in a wide range of fields including nursing, social work, medicine, public health, child development, and addictions.