2007-0155
Title
Proclamation: Alcohol and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Awareness Week
Body
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), the leading known cause of mental retardation is caused solely by maternal alcoholism or heavy drinking during pregnancy; and,
WHEREAS, 45% of females ages 12 and older report alcohol use within the past month; and,
WHEREAS, use of alcohol is highest among women ages 26 to 34, and binge or heavy drinking is highest among women ages 18 to 25; and,
WHEREAS, each year thousands of babies are born with the physical signs and intellectual disabilities associated with FAS, and thousands more experience the somewhat lesser disabilities of Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE); and,
WHEREAS, once a woman bears a child with FAS, there is a 70% probability that any future siblings will also have FAS; and,
WHEREAS, newborns with perinatal alcohol and other drug exposure have hospital stays three times longer than those born to mothers who are drug-free; and,
WHEREAS, early identification of alcohol problems among women of childbearing age offers a targeted strategy to prevent FAS, FAE, and other birth defects; and,
WHEREAS, Mother's Day is the extremely fitting kick-off day for this campaign targeted directly at mothers and mothers-to-be.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT, DO HEREBY JOIN WITH THE BAYOU COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE TO PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF MAY 13 - 19, 2007 AS
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG-RELATED
BIRTH DEFECTS AWARENESS WEEK
WE CALL UPON ALL CITIZENS, PARENTS, PARENTS-TO-BE, GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS, HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS, HOSPITALS, AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO JOIN WITH THE BAYOU COUNCIL IN PREVENTING THE NEEDLESS TRAGEDIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND OTHER DRUGS DURING PREGNANCY.
ALBERT D. LAQUE LANCE MARINO
PARISH PRESIDENT COUNCILMAN AT LARGE, DIV. A
CLAYTON FAUCHEUX DERRYL WALLS
COUNCILMAN AT LARGE, DIV. B COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT IV
DESMOND J. HILAIRE APRIL BLACK
COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT I COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT V
BRIAN A. FABRE DICKIE DUHE
COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT II COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VI
'RAM' RAMCHANDRAN BARRY MINNICH
COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT III COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VII
ALCOHOL & BIRTH DEFECTS 2007.pcl