2006-0120
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 U. S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona has called for women to completely abstain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy; and,
WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is the leading known preventable cause of mental retardation; and,
WHEREAS, FASD is not genetic and is solely caused by alcohol consumption by women during pregnancy; and,
WHEREAS, FASD is an umbrella term describing the effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy, including: physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications; and,
WHEREAS, in 2003, FASD cost the U. S. $5.4 billion in direct and indirect costs; and,
WHEREAS, an individual with FASD can incur a lifetime health cost of $800,000; and,
WHEREAS, FASD is found in all racial and socio-economic groups; and,
WHEREAS, early identification of alcohol problems among women of child-bearing age offers a targeted strategy to prevent FASD; 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 AND THE LAFOURCHE PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP TO PROCLAIM MAY 14 - 20, 2006 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 DOCTORS TO JOIN WITH THE BAYOU COUNCIL IN PREVENTING THE NEEDLESS TRAGEDIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND OTHER ILLICIT DRUGS DURING PREGNANCY.
ALBERT D. LAQUE LANCE MARINO
PARISH PRESIDENT COUNCILMAN AT LARGE, DIV. A
CLAYTON FAUCH...
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