Alabama introduces "Long's Bill" that would take your kids away if you have been treated 2 times in 5 years and relapse - Feb 2013

Alabama, also known as the "Yellowhammer State;" Heart of Dixie" or the "Cotton State" has a very big problem with Crystal Meth. A new proposed "Long's Bill" would make it mandatory that people will loose their children if they have been "treated" twice (2) in a five (5) year period. Currently the Bill includes both Alcohol and Drugs, but they are working on ways to eliminate Alcohol from the Bill. This raises many issues, especially with people who are considered "functional addicts" or if only one of the parents are sent to "treatment." It should also be remembered that a "relapse" is defined as putting any type of drug in your system and it is detected. One beer or a glass of wine could take your kids away.

The Long's Bill, originally meant to target the growing Crystal Meth problem and child abuse as it stands would also target Alcoholics and include a stipulation that Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous meetings be attended. The entire "Long's Bill" can be downloaded at http://media.al.com/breaking/other/HB236-int.pdf . While lawmakers are attempting to drop the Alcohol provision, it still hasn't. This means that if a husband or wife gets 2 DUI's or an alcohol related incident in 5 years and they relapse, their children could be taken from the family home if I am not mistaken. When you get a DUI or alcohol related incident, you are usually sent to some form of "treatment." It also is not clear if people who have already been "treated" twice in a 5 year period would be exempt. This is a very dangerous slippery slope that could extend to other States. Opponents of the Bill claim it will make people afraid to seek treatment and hold child custody over their heads.

Read the entire Story "If twice treated for addiction, relapse could cost parents custody" by Challen Stephen February 27, 2013 at http://blog.al.com/breaking/2013/02/if_twice_treated_for_addiction.html