Lessons learned in COVID-19: mothers with problematic substance use and involvement with child protective services need support to promote family well-being

Abstract

ABSTRACT The universal experience of COVID-19 and its associated public health response presents an opportunity to see inequities that exist within our population when accessing community services and supports. In this article, we cast a spotlight on one group who is at risk for experiencing such inequity: women with problematic substance use who are pregnant or parenting. Motherhood offers an opportunity for development of the self, child and family and can be pivotal in helping women to address challenges they and their family may be experiencing. This is a shared opportunity and requires communities to see these families in their complexity of strengths and needs and to support them on this journey. The pandemic has uncovered inequities in our systems of care and barriers faced by families. As the pandemic situation improves, citizens and communities must resist the temptation to push aside the evidence of social disparity and challenge and engage in social action and change. This may help us to develop policies, services, and attitudes that promote well-being in equitable, accessible, and empowering ways to support rather than hinder mothers, children, and families as they work to realize their life goals.