http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/24/21117142-shackled-and-pregnant-wis-case-challenges-fetal-protection-law?lite

I found this article interesting.  I went through a situation that was similar in some ways with my first pregnancy.  It wasn't about recreational drug use but about prescriptions I was taking for epilepsy.  I wouldn't take them.  I knew how toxic they were and I didn't have an extreme seizure disorder. I refused to subject my child to the effects of the drugs. Because of this I had a hard time finding a physician to treat me prenatally. I did finally find one __ a good one. Also an interesting story. :)  However
What this young woman has gone through raises some interesting and important questions.
It is true there are addicted babies being born all the time. It is a tragedy, to say the least, but is what the authorities did here the answer?  And in her case I would have to say no.
But that's my opinion...what's yours?

What the  government shutdown accomplished in Smalltown, USA

Front Royal, Va. is a small community an hour or outside of the Washington metro area.  Here we have a mostly rural lifestyle [a few stores but all in all just your small town].  This is where the entrance to Skyline Drive [Shenandoah Nat'l Park] is located and several access points to the Appalachian Trail. We also have the confluence of the north and south forks of the Shenandoah river, very popular with the canoeists.

 The county also houses the Smithsonian Conservation Center for the Smithsonian Institution. Here they raise many of the species for various zoos, most of whom are considered endangered.

During the government shutdown our county lost it's main celebration of the year, The Festival of Leaves. Most of the vendors/stores and services depend heavily upon this festival and the few weeks a year when the leaves change to finance their bottom line. The park was closed as was the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian depends on donations most of which are solicited during their own festival held in conjunction with that of the county. It all takes place during mid-October. There was no reason to celebrate this year.

The financial hit to the county was substantial...on a par with loss from a natural disaster but w/o the ability to petition for funds to compensate the losses incurred.  If I were an attorney I would consider suing the government. This will all have a major impact on the people and businesses here.

Previous Festival photo

And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

All of this loss will have repercussions at the national level as it impacts any of the national businesses who rely on shoppers from areas just like this one. All across the country small towns have suffered. Big towns and cities, too but I think the real damage has been done to the small communities which house homes and businesses that will not recover from all the government grandstanding.

The Smithsonian Conservation Center.

Then there are the International repercussions. But that's for another diatribe.