NCJ Number
129341
Journal
Clearinghouse Review Volume: 24 Issue: 5 Dated: special issue (1990) Pages: 426-434
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The problem of substance abuse is having a major impact on such substantive areas of law as health, domestic relations, public benefits, and housing.
Abstract
Major health issues confronting clients who want substance abuse treatment include finding an appropriate program and paying for it. Legal service advocates may be called upon to assist these clients in establishing eligibility for Social Security disability payments or Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. Clients who may come into a legal service office for help include nonpregnant women who use crack and have physical and mental health problems or who have engaged in promiscuous sexual activity and possibly have been exposed to AIDS, pregnant women, and women with children who have no one to care for the children while the mother is in treatment. Babies born to crack-addicted mothers present another set of health-related issues. Many health issues are associated with family law issues that encompass drug testing, foster care placement, termination of parental rights, and custody or guardianship of children. Legal service programs have generally focused on two issues in the public benefits area: increasing benefits available to people and simplifying the application/eligibility process. Several State legislators have proposed mandatory drug testing for public benefits applicants and recipients. Legal service programs have addressed drug-related housing issues concerned with homelessness and public housing eviction. Legal service programs, however, may be asked to sort out conflicts between representing homeless families who need housing and representing community organizations who want to keep drugs out of their neighborhoods. The role of Congress and the Legal Services Corporation in drug-related legal issues is discussed. 90 endnotes