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The feature documentary-in-progress On Life's Term: Mothers in Recovery follows five mothers with substance use addictions in a unique residential rehab in San Rafael, California over three years.  Through moments of self-awareness on the path to recovery, self-sufficiency and raising their kids the moms struggle to heal from ADD, domestic violence, prostitution and incarceration.  The film exposes the high toll of the war on drugs on families and eye-opening research on prenatal drug exposure catalyzing the debate over treatment vs. criminalization.   

This social justice documentary is in post-production.  We expect to complete the film by Fall 2012.  Your generous tax-deductible donation in any amount through our non-profit fiscal sponsor San Francisco Film Society will help us complete the film now.  With a $100 donation your name, or someone you designate will be in the credits of the film.  Thank you for your support!

Synopsis

The number of women in prison jumped 400% and 800% for African American women since the 1986 mandatory sentencing law and the war on drugs.  60% of women in prison have minor children.  70% of children with a parent in prison will go to jail at some point in their life.  On Life's Terms: Mothers in Recovery tells the story of five drug-addicted mothers and the transformative effect that gender specific residential treatment has on them and their children. 

Rachel, 22, hid to avoid childhood abuse.  She escaped her abusive boyfriend with her two baby girls.  She wrestles with the fear of holding down a job sober.  Lisa R, 38, used drugs to self-medicate for ADD.  She relapsed and is back in the program to try again.  Her addiction complicates the relationships with her mother and two daughters.  Leslie, 31, her parents have temporary custody of her three year old daughter.  Enduring beatings by her boyfriend and online prostitution nearly robbed her of all self-worth.  Lisa S, 41, has been in and out of prison for nine years for drug sales and possession.  She feels a strong sense of responsibility for her newborn daughter.  She hopes it will work out with the father who is also in rehab.  Julia, 24, cared for her grandmother until she died.  The first time she smoked meth she was hooked.  She has trouble containing her anger over her mother abandoning her for drugs.  She doesn’t want this for her son.

Harriett Gaines, Program Manager, is African American.  She describes the Center Point Concepts such as completion, responsibility and integrity and how the women learn recovery, parenting and life skills as tools to start new lives. 

Counterpoint to punitive laws, research by Barry Lester, PhD, Director, Brown Center for Children at Risk; and, Sheigla Murphy, PhD, Director, Center for Substance Abuse Studies reveals the importance of family environment for children with prenatal drug exposure and that addiction is a mental health issue that cannot be “jailed away.”

On Life's Terms: Mothers in Recovery will be a tool for social change by stimulating a national dialogue on treatment vs. criminalization and breaking family ties.  The film will validate and inspire women and men in recovery, educate social service providers and law enforcement, and encourage policy makers and legislators to fund more family-centered substance use treatment programs.  To date, there are less than 150 programs in the United States. The film removes the mask of substance use to show the humanity of these women.  The film puts a new face on drug addiction ~ recovery and hope. 

Your generous donation now will help us make a difference in the lives of vulnerable women and children.  Thank you!

If you are seeking help with substance abuse issues call the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment Referral Hotline: 
                         1-800-662-HELP or 1-800-662-4357

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 
1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-799-7233



Funded in part by: Pacific Pioneer Fund, Lucius and Eva Eastman Fund, Open Meadows Foundation, Inc., Penny Harvest Roundtable and Individual Donors.

Please contact us at: 415.564.3691 or onlifesterms.film@gmail.com if you or your group would like to host a fundraising screening.

(c) 2012 Sheila Ganz