Ethics of Drug Addicted Parents
“Custody Rights of Substance Abusing Parents”
South College
Isaiah McGill
Should parents who are at high risk of abusing their children, particularly those addicted to drugs, be allowed to retain custody of their children? Is this an issue that pertains to health, and if so should these ethical issues, as well as support of the family, be under the responsibility of healthcare professionals? According to the Tennessee Department of Health all healthcare professionals in the state of Tennessee are responsible, and legally bound to report the abuse of any child (O’Day, 2012). The purpose of this paper is to answer these questions with evidence based research, and give understanding to all aspects and sides of custody disputes between the department of human services and substance abusing parents for the benefit of the child. Child abuse is the physical, emotional, and sexual mistreatment of children. To understand the role of a nurse regarding their involvement in Child Welfare Services it is important to have a strong definition of nursing and health. “The American Nurses Association defines nursing as the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness;” and the World Health Organization defines health as “the complete physical, mental and social well-being of an individual (Brunner & Suddarth 10th ed. p. 5-6).” One important way for nurses to diagnosis, provide treatment, and promote health is through preventative care. Preventative care can be broken down into three levels; primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary preventative care promotes the health and prevents illness of the individual by interventions that encourage healthy lifestyles. Primary prevention against drug abusing parents involves education against substance abuse, and unplanned pregnancy. Secondary prevention involves health risk appraisal. Any nurse who has reason to believe that a child is being abused is obligated to do a health risk appraisal of that
South College
Isaiah McGill
Should parents who are at high risk of abusing their children, particularly those addicted to drugs, be allowed to retain custody of their children? Is this an issue that pertains to health, and if so should these ethical issues, as well as support of the family, be under the responsibility of healthcare professionals? According to the Tennessee Department of Health all healthcare professionals in the state of Tennessee are responsible, and legally bound to report the abuse of any child (O’Day, 2012). The purpose of this paper is to answer these questions with evidence based research, and give understanding to all aspects and sides of custody disputes between the department of human services and substance abusing parents for the benefit of the child. Child abuse is the physical, emotional, and sexual mistreatment of children. To understand the role of a nurse regarding their involvement in Child Welfare Services it is important to have a strong definition of nursing and health. “The American Nurses Association defines nursing as the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness;” and the World Health Organization defines health as “the complete physical, mental and social well-being of an individual (Brunner & Suddarth 10th ed. p. 5-6).” One important way for nurses to diagnosis, provide treatment, and promote health is through preventative care. Preventative care can be broken down into three levels; primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary preventative care promotes the health and prevents illness of the individual by interventions that encourage healthy lifestyles. Primary prevention against drug abusing parents involves education against substance abuse, and unplanned pregnancy. Secondary prevention involves health risk appraisal. Any nurse who has reason to believe that a child is being abused is obligated to do a health risk appraisal of that
Citations: and references are used appropriately | 10 | | | | | Submitted on time ________________ (5 points deducted for each day late beginning on the first day. A paper not submitted by the 5th day (including Saturday and Sunday) will be given a grade of 0. Reference Mitrani, V. B., Weiss-Laxer, N. S., & Feaster, D. J. (2009). Factors Related to Loss of Child Custody in HIV+ Women in Drug Abuse Recovery. American Journal Of Drug & Alcohol Abuse, 35(5), 320-324. doi:10.1080/00952990903060143 Winter, K. (2010). The perspectives of young children in care about their circumstances and implications for social work practice. Child & Family Social Work, 15(2), 186-195. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2206.2009.00658.x Brunner,., & Suddarth 's, . (2004). Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing (10th ed.). New York, NY: Lippencott Williams & Wilkens Kathryn, O 'Day. (2012). Retrieved from Department of Children 's Services website: http://www.tn.gov/youth/childsafety/whoshouldreport.htm