The U.S. experience with mandatory treatment of chemical dependency has occurred in three other settings: mandatory treatment in the law enforcement context, civil commitment, and treatment ordered as a precondition for obtaining a privilege (i.e., maintaining a driver's license after conviction for drunk driving). Concerns regarding mandatory treatment relate to their efficacy, equity, quality and availability, and role confusion. The article discusses the relevance of these models to mandatory treatment programs for pregnant women. Opponents of compulsory treatment argue that it would discriminate against poor minority women, would be clinically ineffective, and would not serve the stated purpose of protecting the unborn fetus. Enhancing drug treatment services to better meet the needs of pregnant women and ensuring that such services are welcoming and useful to clients might be more effective in decreasing fetal and maternal exposure to toxic drugs. 63 references