Engaging Substance Using, Pregnant Or Parenting Aboriginal Women, Child Welfare Services And Drug Treatment Providers In A Collaborative Process—Enabling Process

A study of the relationship between pregnant and / or parenting Aboriginal women with substance use problems, the drug treatment system and the child welfare system. For pregnant and / or parenting Aboriginal women with substance use problems, fear that involvement with the drug treatment system will bring with it involvement of the child welfare system discourages seeking treatment. This fear is the most visible barrier to drug treatment, however, it is embedded within a wider context of stigma, discrimination and cultural genocide that is not well documented or understood. However, pregnant and / or parenting Aboriginal women with substance use problems would benefit from drug treatment and the development of a culturally appropriate collaborative relationship among parenting or pregnant Aboriginal women, drug treatment counsellors and child welfare workers.