Pregnancy and drug addiction is a growing problem in Honolulu but there is a clinic that is helping women beat their addictions and give birth to healthy babies.

It's called the Path Clinic. Path stands for Perinatal Addiction Treatment of Hawaii.

Since it opened ten months ago it's helped 66 pregnant women, all of whom were addicted to drugs, alcohol or smoking.

A bill being debated at the state capitol would give permanent funds to the clinic.

Its director said there is a huge need for the service.

"This is my son Christian. He was born on the 16th," said Nancy Nakihei, as she held her son.

Christian is only 11 days old, but he's already lived through a lot.

His mom admits using methamphetamine the first 17 weeks of her pregnancy and was going to commit suicide, but she happened to see an advertisement for "The Path Clinic" on The Bus.

"I had just gotten into a fight with my boyfriend and actually I was coming off drugs and I wanted to end my life when I seen that sign. It really spoke out to me," said Nancy Nakihei.

Instead of ending her own life she focused on her pregnancy and giving her baby a healthy start. That's when she came to see the doctor at The Path Clinic.

"She was scared and just being able to talk with her and provide the support and a safe place for her to get prenatal care, I think it made a big difference in her pregnancy," Dr. Tricia Wright, The Path Clinic Founder and Director.

Along with prenatal care the clinic has a social worker to help the women beat their addictions. Also the clinic does not tell Child Protective Services so the women don't need to worry about losing custody of their baby.

"As we gained her trust and built a relationship with her we were able to help build her confidence in being a mom and help build her confidence so she could get clean from her drug use. She has so many strengths and so it was so easy to work with those strengths and help move her to the place she is now and where she wants to go," said Julia Yoshimoto, The Path Clinic Social Worker.

"They said all the right things to me you know," Nakihei said.

Now her path to pregnancy is continuing on a path to success.

"In a sense (Christian) is helping me. I plan to go back to school when he's older. I want to do better for myself and for him," Nakihei said.

She said she will stay off drugs and may go into social work to help other women like her.

She's already given the clinic's contact information to other pregnant drug users she knows and hopes they call.

Click here for more information about The Path Clinic.

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