ABSTRACT
Pregnancy provides an ideal opportunity for developing relationships between the women and the workers who will provide ongoing care and support after delivery. Earlier involvement of the social worker in a preventative and supportive role not only promotes a more positive relationship with the drug-using woman but also reduces the social work department’s workload. While young women who use drugs share many of the problems experienced by men, there are also a number of gender specific issues. These include the direct effects of drug use on women’s roles - both biological and social - as mothers, and their wider roles as carers within families. Many of the general health problems associated with drug use are common to women and men. Weight is therefore a good objective indicator of stability of drug use and is particularly helpful when monitoring pregnant drug-using women.
