Obey Law on Criminal Reporting for a Pregnant Mother Addicted to Heroin?

You are the obstetrician of a 27-year-old single woman referred to you late in her first trimester after positive pregnancy test. She admits to a history of heroin addiction, with several unsuccessful attempts “get off it” in community-based programs, as well as to current using. Although buying and using heroin is illegal, she has no criminal record.

• Who is the patient?
• What is your priority, duties to patient or to the public (the law)?
• What are the benefits or reporting? Not reporting?
• Report the mother according to the law and hope she benefits from mandatory treatment.
• Do you not report the mother do all in your power to help her gain urgent admission to an appropriate drug treatment program?
• Other?

Apply Theory (Specific Professional Healthcare Competencies + Clinical Medical Ethical Principles) to Practice in order to provide Optimal Patient-Centered Care (OPCC)

Source – Santa Clara University, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics