Moms Living Clean follows five women in a gender specific residential treatment program in over three years from treatment though transitioning into the community.  The women arrive voluntarily or through drug court, but they all desire the same thing custody of their children.

Rachel, 22 escaped from her abusive boyfriend with her two babies and wants to break the cycle of violence.  Leslie, 31 charged with online prostitution and drug use, works to rebuild her life after losing custody of her daughter.  Julia, 24 doesnt want her son to suffer the way she did, when her mother used drugs.  Lisa R, 38 relapsed and is determined to make it for her two daughters.  Lisa S, 41 served time for selling drugs and hopes to start over with her newborn daughter. 

In treatment the women confront the difficult reality that addiction put themselves and their children at risk.  The intergenerational impact of drugs is revealed through the mother of one of the moms and her eight-year-old daughter.  

Gender specific residential treatment addresses the issues of addiction and recovery within the context of the roots of drug use including past sexual abuse and domestic violence.  The women also learn parenting and life skills in preparation to self-sufficiency, while having their children with them up, to the age of five.  The moms integrate values like responsibility and completion, which help them to develop self-esteem.  Before they leave, they get their GED.

The film interweaves their transformative journey with the evolution of drug laws and policies that impact pregnant and parenting women with substance abuse issues, which can decide their fate of treatment or criminalization.

Since the war on drugs began in 1986, incarceration of women has skyrocketed 400% and 800% for African American women.  66% of women in prison have minor children.

After the moms successfully complete the six month program, they move to the transition house with their children.  They still have group to help them adjust to their new life.  Most have not held a job in a long time.  Paying taxes is a positive symbol that they are part of the community and the work force.  Now they face the next challenge of balancing parenting and work, while avoiding the obstacle of everyday temptations.

Why I am making this film

Moms Living Clean comes out of my own experience as a mother who, due do the stigma of unwed pregnancy, unwillingly relinquished my daughter for adoption in 1969.  I was in a home for unwed mothers and always wondered, Why cant there be homes to help mothers keep their children?   

            After I completed and distributed my first documentary Unlocking the Heart of Adoption about the lifelong process of adoption for adoptees, birthparents and adoptive parents in same race and transracial adoptions with illuminating historical background, I began research for my next film.

            I found the story of Regina McKnight, who used cocaine.  In 1999, the child abuse law was applied to viable fetuses when McKnight gave birth to a stillborn baby.  She was convicted of murder and sentenced to twelve years in prison.  Outraged by this injustice, I instantly decided to make a documentary exposing the impact that the war on drugs has on vulnerable women and children. 

When I lost my daughter, my art saved me.  The unacknowledged devastation for a mother who loses custody of her child and is suffering from addiction can lead to a downward spiral.  Only 20% of mothers reunify with their children after they are in the foster care system. 

The stories of transformation and recovery in Moms Living Clean strike a cord for people attending work-in-progress screenings.  The film gives women in treatment programs hope.  And family members of mothers with addictions understand her better. 

As a follow-up to Regina McNight, in 2008 the South Carolina Supreme Court reversed the decision on the grounds that her attorney did not challenge the junk science that was used to convict her. 

Moms Living Clean will remove the mask of addiction to show the humanity of these women and will help turn the tide of stigma and punitive laws levied against them.  Your generous tax-deductible donation in any amount now will help make this a reality!

Our plan for the next two months:

Principle filming of Moms Living Clean is finished.  Funding at the next critical stage - to edit the rough-cut will cost $5,000.  Then we will have the structure in place for the 86 minute full length film.  In order to accomplish this, I will work closely with Vivien Hillgrove, Consulting Editor who has 40 years of experience working on Academy Award winning feature films and numerous award winning documentaries.

A heartfelt Thank You to our generous donors, who have brought us this far!  Our plan is to complete the film by summer 2011 in time to apply to film festivals and public television. 

            If everyone who visited this website donated $25, the film would be full funded!