Mothers and Illicit Drugs: Transcending the Myths

Leila I. Wallenius is a reference librarian in the J.N. Desmarais
Library at Laurentiana University.

Susan Boyd’s well-researched and thorough examination of mothers’
use/abuse of illicit drugs challenges conventional wisdom regarding drug
use and maternity. In particular, she takes issue with the treatment of
this topic by the media, medical profession, and social services.
Central to her argument is her contention that the distinctions commonly
drawn between licit and illicit drug use are artificial and risky in
terms of their practical consequences.

The book, which grew out of the author’s doctoral dissertation,
presents an extensive review of the research on the use of illicit drugs
by mothers. Through her work with such groups as Drug and Alcohol
Meeting Support for Women, Boyd was introduced to drug users outside the
traditional realm. In this book, her primary subjects are 28 women from
Western Canada.

Mothers and Illicit Drugs would be a valuable addition to academic
libraries.