Post by lennie on Jul 4, 2007 23:47:33 GMT -5
Alcohol use in pregnancy is the leading cause of birth defects and mental/ developmental disabilities in the Western world. It is estimated that it affects 1 in 100 infants. These disabilities are known as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD can lead to problems with learning, behaviour, attention, sleeping, memory and understanding the consequences of his/her actions. An estimated 50% of individuals with FASD will end up in institutional care, a mental health facility or prison.
FASD is preventable yet many women are unaware of the risks of alcohol use in pregnancy. It is estimated that nearly 50% of women consume alcohol during pregnancy. This figure could easily be reduced with a very simple step. By placing warning labels on all alcoholic drinks sold in Australia we can target everyone who drinks alcohol. This would bring about discussion, education and change attitudes towards alcohol use in pregnancy.
Certain members of the alcohol industry believe this simple step is too costly to implement. Yet they comply with American labelling laws. In America, all alcoholic containers carry the government warning that “Women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.” This includes all alcoholic that is exported by Australian manufacturers to America. If the alcohol industry does this for America, why can it not do the same for Australia?
And is it not too costly to implement?
It has been estimated that Australia spends more than $13 million a day on FASD affected individuals through health care, institutional care, mental health and justice services and other areas. Acting now will not only reduce these high costs but improve the lives of children, families and communities.
During the 1st National Conference on FASD hosted by The Drug Education Network in Tasmania in June, Yvonne Tilley raised a motion concerning the labelling of alcoholic drinks in Australia.
She moved that the conference request the Federal Government to legislate that all alcoholic beverages sold in Australia carry warning labels highlighting that drinking alcohol while pregnant may cause birth defects.
The motion was passed and delegates were invited to sign the petition. After consultation with Yvonne, the DEN has created an online petition to carry the motion and widen access to all, not just the delegates at the conference.
The petition can be viewed at:
www.gopetition.com/petitions/alcohol-use-in-pregnancy-labels-needed-to-warn-of-risks.html
DEN ask that everyone read the petition and if you agree with its aim to please sign it. They also ask you to send the link to everyone you know.
Not only will this increase the success of the petition but it will raise awareness of the issue of FASD amongst a wide audience. Thank you!
>
>
>
> *Sue Miers AM *
>
> *Spokesperson *
>
*NOFASARD *
PO Box 323
Blackwood SA 5051
Email: sue@nofasard.org
www.nofasard.org
FASD is preventable yet many women are unaware of the risks of alcohol use in pregnancy. It is estimated that nearly 50% of women consume alcohol during pregnancy. This figure could easily be reduced with a very simple step. By placing warning labels on all alcoholic drinks sold in Australia we can target everyone who drinks alcohol. This would bring about discussion, education and change attitudes towards alcohol use in pregnancy.
Certain members of the alcohol industry believe this simple step is too costly to implement. Yet they comply with American labelling laws. In America, all alcoholic containers carry the government warning that “Women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.” This includes all alcoholic that is exported by Australian manufacturers to America. If the alcohol industry does this for America, why can it not do the same for Australia?
And is it not too costly to implement?
It has been estimated that Australia spends more than $13 million a day on FASD affected individuals through health care, institutional care, mental health and justice services and other areas. Acting now will not only reduce these high costs but improve the lives of children, families and communities.
During the 1st National Conference on FASD hosted by The Drug Education Network in Tasmania in June, Yvonne Tilley raised a motion concerning the labelling of alcoholic drinks in Australia.
She moved that the conference request the Federal Government to legislate that all alcoholic beverages sold in Australia carry warning labels highlighting that drinking alcohol while pregnant may cause birth defects.
The motion was passed and delegates were invited to sign the petition. After consultation with Yvonne, the DEN has created an online petition to carry the motion and widen access to all, not just the delegates at the conference.
The petition can be viewed at:
www.gopetition.com/petitions/alcohol-use-in-pregnancy-labels-needed-to-warn-of-risks.html
DEN ask that everyone read the petition and if you agree with its aim to please sign it. They also ask you to send the link to everyone you know.
Not only will this increase the success of the petition but it will raise awareness of the issue of FASD amongst a wide audience. Thank you!
>
>
>
> *Sue Miers AM *
>
> *Spokesperson *
>
*NOFASARD *
PO Box 323
Blackwood SA 5051
Email: sue@nofasard.org
www.nofasard.org