It is a story that is told more and more often across the nation in
newspaper headlines, classrooms and courtrooms. The place is
Brooklyn, New York. The year is 1993. A woman named "Molly" is
in labor and checks into a local hospital. Molly gives birth to a baby
boy hours later. So far, the story seems to be a happy one. However,
there is a sad twist. This innocent newborn baby has a positive
toxicology for cocaine and methadone.' Put more bluntly, this baby
is a drug addict by no choice of his own.
The Child Welfare Administration ("CWA") prevents both Molly
and the newborn baby from leaving the hospital on schedule. After
minimal counseling at the hospital, Molly is permitted to return home
with the baby on the condition that she attend weekly counseling at