National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Launch Awareness Campaign

3/4/2002

From: Yvette Watson of the Matthews Group, 301-984-7191 or Ann Bradley of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 301-443-0595

WASHINGTON, March 4 -- The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) are launching a campaign to raise awareness on drinking during pregnancy, the leading known cause of preventable birth defects and learning difficulties. The campaign will target African-American women of childbearing age in Washington, D.C. and will serve as a prototype for campaigns in other cities.

To kick off the program, NOFAS and NIAAA will hold a press conference on Tuesday, March 5, at Union Station's Columbus Club beginning at 11 a.m. Expected attendees include Mayor Anthony Williams and members of Congress. Debra Terry of the WPGC Radio Donnie Simpson Show will preside over the conference.

NOFAS and NIAAA are working together to raise awareness on the harmful effects of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, including fetal alcohol syndrome. According to NIAAA, as many as 40,000 infants each year are born with some degree of alcohol-related effects. These effects include learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and in severe cases can result in central nervous system dysfunction, and mental impairment -- all irreversible.

"Our goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy," said Tom Donaldson, Executive Director of NOFAS. "If women can abstain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy, alcohol-related birth defects and other problems are 100 percent preventable. That is the message we are sending."

The pilot program in D.C. will send the message "Play It Smart. Alcohol and Pregnancy Don't Mix." through transit advertising, public service announcements, and grassroots approaches. The campaign will also include partnerships with community groups, local health organizations, and retail establishments.

"After we have assessed the success of this pilot program targeted to African American women, we hope to extend the campaign both to target other groups of women and in other cities across the country, "said Raynard S. Kington, Acting Director of NIAAA. "But first we will focus on women right here in the Nation's Capital.

NIAAA, a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, conducts and supports approximately 90 percent of U.S research on the causes, consequences, prevention, and treatment of alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and alcohol problems, and disseminates research findings to science, practitioner, policy making, and general audiences.

NOFAS, a nonprofit organization founded in 1990, is dedicated to eliminating birth defects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy and improving the quality of life for those individuals and families affected. NOFAS, the only national organization focused solely on fetal alcohol syndrome, pilots its programs among diverse populations nationwide and takes a multicultural approach to prevention and healing. NOFAS is committed to raising public awareness of FAS- the leading known cause of mental retardation and birth defects-and to developing and implementing innovative ideas in prevention, intervention, education, and advocacy in communities throughout the nation.

Editor's Note: To request an interview with NIAAA Acting Director Raynard Kington, M.D., Ph.D., please contact the NIAAA Press Office at 301-443-0595.