Abstract

The aim of this literature review is to determine child welfare social worker’s perceptions of pregnant women who use marijuana versus pregnant women who use opiates. Differences in risk perception will be assessed and compared based on age, gender, ethnicity, education level, place of employment, level of income, and history of substance use. The study is important because there is a gap in the literature when it comes to comparing child welfare social worker’s perceptions of pregnant women’s use of marijuana to pregnant women’s use of opiates, and the referral to services and treatment differences.