Missbruk och graviditet - Vem svarar för den ofödde? En kvalitativ studie om svenska och norska professionellas syn på tvångsvård av gravida missbrukare

Sammanfattning: Author: Jannica Nilsson Wallberg, Josefine Attnarsson Title: Substance abuse and pregnancy - Who is responsible for the unborn? A qualitative study from the professional perspective on compulsory treatment of pregnant substance abusers in Sweden and Norway [translated title] Supervisor: Eva Palmblad The purpose of this study was to examine the concept of compulsory treatment of pregnant women with substance abuse problems. The foundation of this study has been the legislations in Sweden and Norway since there is a vital distinction in how pregnant substance abusers are treated in each country. The Swedish legislation does not include a criterion on the grounds of the unborn child’s life and wellness which provides a pregnant substance abuser compulsory treatment. Whereas, the Norwegian legislation outlines a criteria of intervention when there is an immediate risk of substance abuse to the unborn child’s life and wellness and can compel pregnant substance abusers compulsory treatment. More specifically the purpose of the study was to analyze and compare how professionals perceive the legislation in each country. We focused the study on the professionals attitude towards the pregnant substance abuser and the unborn child and their willingness to protect either one or both their rights. The study is based on qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews completed with a vignette. Six interviews were executed with professionals from both Sweden and Norway. The professionals had different occupations however, all with experience of working with pregnant substance abusers. With the assistance of the theories paternalism and utilitarianism we came up with various conclusions. We concluded that professionals in both Sweden and Norway play an important role in protecting the unborn child. Their primary focus is the child’s right to life and wellness and they take the appropriate course of action to ensure this. Key words: compulsory treatment, pregnancy, substance abuse, paternalism, utilitarism