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Prisoner's rights

Healthcare

Drug and alcohol use during pregnancy

Smoking and using drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can cause problems for you and your baby. There is no safe level of drug or alcohol use during pregnancy.

For more information, visit the New Zealand Health website www.health.govt.nz and search “drinking and drugs during pregnancy”.

Can a midwife or doctor tell the police if I’ve been using an illegal drug?

Before telling a midwife or a doctor, you should call an alcohol and drug helpline. The helpline can help you make a decision about whether you should tell your midwife or doctor that you’ve been using an illegal drug. You can also call the helpline anonymously, meaning that you don’t need to tell them your name.

To contact the helpline, call 0800 787 797, or free text 8681. They are open 24/7. There are also:

  • Youth services (0800 787 984, or text 8681)
  • Kaupapa Māori services (call 0800 787 798, or text 8681)
  • Pasifika services (call 0800 787 799, or text 8681)
Next Section | Safety

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Where to go for more support

Community Law

www.communitylaw.org.nz

Your local Community Law Centre can provide initial free legal advice and information.

Also available as a book

Pregnancy Rights

A basic, plain language guide that contains practical answers to questions about pregnancy and the law. It covers sex and consent, options after a positive pregnancy test, what help you can get with school, work, and parenting and more. Pregnancy Rights is written for young pregnant people, their whānau and advocates.

Buy Pregnancy Rights

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