$1.2 Million Will Target Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders In NY

• by New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services

ALBANY, NY (01/28/2008)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced that OASAS is receiving $1.2 million in federal funding for a multi-year effort to prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in New York.

FASD is a disorder caused by a woman's use of alcohol during pregnancy. It is characterized by growth retardation, facial abnormalities, and central nervous system dysfunction and is an irreversible, life-long condition. However, FASD is the only birth defect that can be completely prevented through education of women on the dangers of consuming alcohol while pregnant.

“FASD is a preventable problem and we are committed to educating all women that a healthy pregnancy should exclude alcohol,” said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. “This funding will help us prevent this tragedy that is impacting far too many children and families"

In 2006, nearly 1,800 pregnant women were admitted in the OASAS treatment system, many of whom were at risk of FASD. The new funding reinforces the OASAS commitment to FASD, by providing new programs on early prevention, intervention and screenings, and raising awareness of the dangers of FASD.

A child with FASD requires a lifetime of services across various health care and support systems. Individuals affected by FASD are found in every system of care, making coordination between various systems an integral component of FASD programming. Early identification and diagnosis can help a child with FASD receive intervention services to maximize his or her potential.

The funding comes from Northrop Grumman, a subcontractor to the SAMHSA FASD Center for Excellence, which reviewed an OASAS application in 2007.

The award will re-establish the Statewide FASD Prevention Task Force, which is charged with developing and advocating for programs and policies to support FASD prevention. Task Force representatives will include the state Department of Health, the Office of Children and Family Services, the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, community, membership and professional organizations, as well as a variety of FASD experts and consumers.

Under this statewide initiative, OASAS will also implement interventions in select intensive women’s residential treatment programs to decrease the incidence of FASD. The intervention to be conducted is the nationally known Project CHOICES, which includes motivational interviewing and contraceptive services with women of child-bearing age who are participating in alcohol and/or drug treatment programs.

“There is no safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy,” said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. “As the lead agency for FASD activities in New York, OASAS understands that all women of child-bearing age should know about the adverse effects of alcohol use during pregnancy. Working with our partners, we will make a difference in the lives of thousands of New Yorkers and children who deserve to live healthy lives.”

OASAS oversees one of the nation’s largest addiction services programs, with 1,550 prevention and treatment providers who serve 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

For more information on FASD services, call (518) 457-4384 or visit the OASAS website at www.OASAS.state.ny.us. OASAS also operates a toll-free, 24-hour helpline at 1-800-522-5353.

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