Contributor: Americans are coming to their senses about child safety and drug-using parents - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Naomi Schaefer RileyFebruary 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Americans are increasingly questioning their approach to child safety under the care of drug-using parents, as recent policy failures have led to tragic consequences. States like New Mexico adopted the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act in 2019, which aimed to provide voluntary support for families affected by substance abuse but failed to ensure parental treatment before allowing infants to return home. This resulted in 15 baby deaths between 2020 and 2021 alone, highlighting the dangers of policies that prioritize parental choice over child safety.
Other states, including Connecticut and Los Angeles, have implemented similar ineffective measures
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/24/2026