Medical providers say NM policy of taking custody of substance-exposed newborns hurts families

Medical providers say New Mexico's policy of taking custody of substance-exposed newborns hurts families. New rules for the program go into effect in July.

By: Cecilia Nowell

Outlets: Source New Mexico

Published: July 1, 2026

Words: 1,442

Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

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When Dr. Francheska Gurule sees pregnant patients who use drugs or alcohol at the clinic where she works in Albuquerque, she says their “fear has always been very palpable.”

As a family doctor board-certified in addiction medicine and working in the field for the last decade, Gurule says she knows patients worry about the stigma they’ll face when they disclose their drug use. But “the number one reason” they withhold their drug or alcohol use …

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