UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES

Highs & Lows: Canadian Perspectives on Women and Substance Use
Poole, N. & Greaves, L. (2007). Toronto, ON: Centre for Addiction & Mental Health

Women’s and girls’ substance use is now recognized as an important health, economic and social issue in Canada. Most books about alcohol and other drug use, however, do not address the unique needs of this population. Highs & Lows draws on the latest research to offer strategies for improving practice and developing policy to support women with substance use problems. Includes contributions from nearly 100 experts on women’s substance use - including women personally affected.
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Reducing the Impact: Working with pregnant women who live in difficult life situations
Best Start. (2002). Toronto, ON: Best Start: Ontario's Maternal, Newborn and Early Child Development Resource Centre.

This 78-page booklet supports service providers to “re-think the ways in which they work with women of low socio-economic status in order to provide more effective programs and initiatives.”
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A Motherhood Issue: Discourses on mothering under duress
Greaves, L., Varcoe, C., Poole, N., Morrow, M., Johnson, J., Pederson, A. & Irwin, L. (2002). Ottawa, ON: Status of Women Canada.

This study investigates how situations of mothering under duress are discussed in Canadian policy documents, media portrayals and women's experiences. A mothering framework is recommended to guide the development of policies that recognize, respect and restore the mother-child unit.
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Apprehensions: Barriers to Treatment for Substance-Using Mothers
Poole, N. & Isaac, B. (2001). Vancouver, BC: British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health

A report on barriers and supports for mothers as they attempt to access substance use treatment in BC. This is a compelling statement about how policy and service response could be improved to prevent FASD by supporting women in accessing the care they need.
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Substance Use and Pregnancy: Conceiving Women in the Policy Process
Rutman, D., Callahan, M., Lundquist, A., Jackson, S., & B. Field (2000). Ottawa, ON: Status of Women Canada.

This research report examines how Canadian policy deals with the issue of substance use during pregnancy. It suggests alternative ways of addressing this problem that may prove less polarizing and punitive toward women.
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A report on the service needs of pregnant women, with particular attention paid to the needs of Aboriginal women. It is based on interviews with 74 women in three locations across Manitoba and 85 service providers who work with these women.
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With Child: Substance Use During Pregnancy, A Woman-Centred Approach
Boyd, S.C. & Marcellus, L. (2007). Halifax, NS: Fernwood Publishing Company Ltd.
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Info Sheet: Barriers to accessing support for pregnant women and mothers with substance use problems
FASD Network Action Team on Prevention from a Women's Health Determinants Perspective (2007).
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