HONOLULU -- A woman whose drug use killed her baby is now considered a hero by some people. Tayshea Aiwohi announced Thursday she is raising money for a foundation to help drug addicts.

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Aiwohi said she hopes to make something good out of her bad reputation.

Treyson Aiwohi died of a methamphetamine overdose when he was 2 days old. His mother had a drug binge before his birth. Later, she pleaded no contest to manslaughter. Now, she wants to help addicts.

"Helping families so they don't have to go through the same heartache as us due to substance abuse," Tayshea Aiwohi said.

She said she knows many think the plea agreement that kept her out of prison was too lenient.

"If people feel I needed to have a more stern punishment, thank you God that I didn't get one because I am more purposeful out here," Aiwohi said.

Aiwohi said she and her family wanted to name the foundation Kaimana for her son, but that was taken.

"We had decided that because there was so much negative publicity on my name, on my experience, we decided to give back in positive way naming it after me in memory of my son," she said.

Aiwohi's recovery has already inspired some people.

"Tayshea has helped me become a beautiful woman in recovery. And I am really appreciative of it," Jessica Hauki said.

Aiwohi's case will be argued before the Supreme Court in October, but she said that's not why she called the news conference on Thursday. She said she called it because Friday would have been her son Treyson's fourth birthday.

"We know how this all started with his loss. You know, I had to lose something precious to get a life that is second to none," Aiwohi said.

The Tayshea Aiwohi Foundation is asking for donations and grants. Aiwohi said she and her family will not be paid anything.