Film about addiction during pregnancy: A call for affected children!

Film about addiction during pregnancy: A call for affected children!

On October 28, 2025, an important film screening took place in Mittweida that dealt with a very sensitive topic. Over 130 guests took part in the event, which was organized by the Preventive Child Protection and Early Help Network and the Faculty of Social Work at Mittweida University. The feature film “VENA”, created by Chiara Fleischhacker, tells the haunting story of Jenny, a drug-addicted pregnant woman in prison. The aim of this impressive performance was to sensitize professionals and society to the challenges of addiction during pregnancy in order to raise the voice for children from families affected by addiction, as Katrin Ballschuh, the network coordinator, emphatically emphasized.

After the film screening, professionals from various areas, including addiction counseling, youth welfare offices and the Mittweida University, discussed the challenges that mothers with addictions face. It was highlighted how crucial stable relationships and support offers can be for affected women. The network also provided relevant information for aspiring specialists and partners of advice centers.

Important topics for affected mothers

The central topics of the event included the problem of drug use during pregnancy and the support services needed for women in such difficult situations. An outstanding example of such aid measures is the anti-drug project “Mama thinks of me” at the Dresden University Hospital. This program, which was launched in 2016 and now includes three clinics, is specifically aimed at drug-addicted pregnant women and mothers, as uniklinikum-dresden.de reports.

The focus is, among other things, on the high consumption of crystal meth in Saxony. The aim of the project is to improve the care of newborns by their mothers. In fact, the proportion of babies allowed to stay with their parents has increased from one-third to two-thirds. Thanks to the support of social workers and interdisciplinary collaboration between different disciplines, attempts are made to help parents overcome their dependency and create a stable environment for their children.

The consequences of addiction during pregnancy

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can have devastating consequences for the unborn child, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which can cause physical and mental harm. Every year, an estimated 10,000 children in Germany are born with FASD, the diagnosis of which is often challenging. As bundesstiftung-mutter-und-kind.de explains, substances such as cannabis, heroin or amphetamines can also pose significant risks to the development of the fetus.

It is clear that pregnant women struggling with addiction problems should urgently seek medical help. There are programs that provide anonymous and free support, such as the IRIS program. It is also important that the social environment supports pregnant women in avoiding alcohol and other drugs.

In summary, the event in Mittweida shows how important it is to raise awareness of the challenges of constructive help and to openly discuss the topic of addiction during pregnancy. Initiatives like “Mama think of me” set an important example and help to strengthen affected mothers and their children.