2008-0233
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, The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy is the leading preventable cause of birth defects and childhood disorders in the United States; and,
WHEREAS, the adverse effects associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with lifelong implications; and,
WHEREAS, any woman of childbearing age is at risk of having a child with an FASD if she drinks alcohol during pregnancy; and,
WHEREAS, women who have given birth to children with an FASD and continue to drink are at a very high risk of having additional children with an FASD; and,
WHEREAS, the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) reports that 45.4% of women in Louisiana between the ages of 18 & 44 consume alcohol on a regular basis; and,
WHEREAS, since 1981, the U.S. Surgeon General has advised women not to drink any alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects; and,
WHEREAS, FASD affects at least 40,000 newborns each year and the damage caused by prenatal alcohol exposure is permanent; and,
WHEREAS, fetal alcohol exposure may increase the risk for later alcohol, tobacco, and drug dependence in adults; and,
WHEREAS, FASD are totally preventable by maintaining an alcohol-free pregnancy; and,
WHEREAS, Mother's Day is the extremely fitting kick-off day for a 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 11 - 17, 2008 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...
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