In 1990, Lisa Molina tried to overdose on heroin. She was pregnant at the time. When her suicide attempt didn't work, she entered a YWCA-sponsored program called Born-Free, for women who are pregnant and want to be drug and alcohol free -- and five months later, her daughter, Jessica, was born.

Lisa and Jessica (who is now 18 years old) recently spoke at a ceremony to celebrate the opening of the program's two new homes in Riverside County, California.

"I get to go to college. I got to graduate high school," Jessica said, enumerating the opportunities she's had because of the program.

"Sometimes I don't realize how important it is until they ask me to do things and I see people and their reactions," Jessica said. "They come up to me and tell me that they're proud of me. They tell me 'Thank you' for talking to them and I really feel blessed."

She paused.

"Without a doubt, it is because of Born-Free. ... Thank you for mine and my mom's life," Jessica said. (Source: The Press-Enterprise)

Women who enter the Born Free program live in two homes that have separate entrances but share a wall. "The homes, connected by a wall but with separate entrances, were designed specifically to house the women, including larger bathrooms with multiple sinks and intercom systems to screen visitors," the Press-Enterprise reported.

Labels: recovery, heroin, pregnancy

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 0 Comments

Utah substance abuse prevention advocates are asking for $71,000 in 2009 to launch a campaign against alcohol use that would focus on young, pregnant women.

"They are the most at-risk group but they aren't getting the message for some reason, agency staff members told the Legislature's Joint Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommitee&"

A proposed change in the state law (HB38) would allow the start of a public education and outreach program regarding substance and alcohol use that's especially harmful during pregnancy. Read more at DesertNews.com.

Labels: prevention, community_programs, pregnancy

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments