Pubdate: Mon, 24 Jun 2002
Source: Commercial Appeal (TN)
Copyright: 2002 The Commercial Appeal
Contact:  http://www.gomemphis.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/95
Author: Katherine G. Smith

SUFFERING HERE NEEDS ATTENTION, TOO

It's wonderful that Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and President Bush want to 
spend $500 million of our tax money to stop the spread of AIDS from mothers 
to babies in Africa and the Caribbean (June 20 article). However, could we 
also reach out more to ease our citizens' suffering?

Perhaps someone in Arkansas or Washington could explain to me and babies 
why it is not against the law in Arkansas to endanger the life of a fetus 
by smoking crack cocaine or crystal methamphetamine. In Arkansas, if a 
mother and her baby both test positive for illicit drugs, the baby still 
goes home with the mother at discharge.

As a nurse who has struggled with this issue, I am convinced these children 
have no chance to succeed or even survive.

Katherine G. Smith

Hughes, Ark.
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