'Native children belong in Native communities': tribes decry New Mexico drug-exposed newborn rule

[TygrBright]

4. I saw this coming...

When this was first discussed, I thought it would be only a matter of (not very much!) time before the sovereign nations went to court on this. But given how many First Nations people live outside their nations' jurisdiction, it's a smart move to bring the ACLU in on it.

Keep in mind, this was not limited to or specific to First Nations people. It is a statewide, all people in New Mexico order, and there are plenty of problems with poverty and addiction in all communities here.

I think Grisham's intent was kindly, and the problem had been escalating because attempts to assist pregnant women with opioid and benzo and alcohol addictions to get their newborns treated quickly had been failing miserably - too many were leaving hospitals and birthing centers with their newborns and not responding to attempts to help. It had resulted in some infant deaths and high profile cases that caused a lot of "why isn't the State doing something about this" backlash.

But like a lot of helpful ideas here, it was something that might have worked well somewhere else with resources available and a different kind of cultural mix. Not in New Mexico. It was only a matter of time.

I do hope they manage to sort something out with the sovereign nations. They should have the primary say in how cases involving their people are handled.

sadly,
Bright