Justice Involvement in Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Marginalized Pregnant and Parenting People: Working Toward a Better Approach-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The APA's Looking Beyond webinar series, moderated by Dr. Dionne Hart, explores mental health inequities and maternal mental health, particularly among justice-involved individuals and marginalized communities. The panel, featuring experts Dr. Chenazzo Cunningham, Dr. Joya Crear-Perry, Dr. Myra Mathis, and Dr. Andre Jones, discussed barriers faced by pregnant individuals with substance use disorders in carceral systems. The conversation highlighted the intersection of justice involvement with health care and the punitive policies that impact maternal and child health.<br /><br />Key points included the systemic barriers rooted in racialized drug policy and how these policies affect service access for those with substance use disorders. Despite logistical challenges, efforts in New York focus on providing medication for opioid use disorder in prisons and jails, with integrated care models in North Carolina providing supportive services for justice-involved individuals. Harm reduction, such as offering naloxone and fentanyl test strips, is emphasized as a vital but underutilized life-saving measure, with overdose prevention centers discussed as complex due to legal barriers.<br /><br />Advocacy through education and partnerships with local policymakers was stressed, alongside fostering trust within the communities served. The potential for systemic change is reliant on continued advocacy, collaboration, and a commitment to viewing and treating justice-involved individuals with dignity, ensuring comprehensive and humane care. The webinar concluded with optimism for change driven by dedicated professionals within the justice and health systems.

Keywords

mental health inequities

maternal mental health

justice-involved individuals

marginalized communities

substance use disorders

carceral systems

racialized drug policy

harm reduction

overdose prevention

systemic change