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This Woman Travels The US Paying Drug Addicts To Stop Having Kids

This Woman Travels The US Paying Drug Addicts To Stop Having Kids

She spends her days searching for drug hot-spots.

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A US woman travels up and down the country giving cash incentives to drug addicts who agree to permanent birth control.

Barbara Harris is the founder of a non-profit organisation called Project Prevention, which aims to stop drug-addicted mums from having babies.

Barbara travels the country in a van encouraging drug addicted women to get fitted with the IUD or have a sterilisation procedure. For men, it's a vasectomy.

Barbara places posters in shops to attract addicts. Credit: WKRG

She isn't qualified to carry out procedures, so the addicts must go to a health clinic and send on completed paperwork to Barbara, who will then send out $300 (£234).

Barbara set up the organisation after adopting four babies who were all born dependent on drugs.

She told WSPA: "The women made a choice to use drugs. The children did not make that choice.

The RV Barbara travels in. Credit: Facebook/Project Prevention

"The people who come out the loudest are not willing to adopt these children. They want to campaign for women's rights to keep procreating, but if you ask them to adopt a drug-addicted baby, no, they wouldn't."

She spends her days in the van hunting out drug hot-spots.

Barbara admits her work is 'controversial' but believes its necessary. On the Project Prevention page, she writes: "Our mission is to continue to reach out to addicts offering referrals to drug treatment for those interested and to get them on birth control until they can care for the children they conceive.

Credit: Facebook/Project Prevention

"We are lowering the number of children added to foster care, preventing the addicts from the guilt and pain they feel each time they give birth only to have their child taken away, and preventing suffering of innocent children because even those fortunate enough to be born with no medical or emotional problems after placed in foster care face often a lifetime of longing to feel loved and wanted."

The page also shares quotes from 'clients' thanking Barbara and Project Prevention for helping them. One reads: "Thank you for helping me to do the first responsible thing I've ever done in my addiction."

Featured Image Credit: WKRG

Topics: Drug Addict, Drugs