OASAS Reminds New Yorkers About the Risks of Alcohol and Drug Use While Pregnant

ALBANY, NY (05/14/2009)(readMedia)-- State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today reminded New Yorkers that a healthy pregnancy improves the chances for a healthy baby as part of the National Alcohol and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Awareness Week, May 10-16.

This week is an opportunity to educate all women about making healthy choices for themselves and their families, to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and related issues and to provide information that will help to protect them from the risks and consequences of alcohol and drug use during pregnancy. One of the most severe alcohol-related outcomes is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, which includes facial malformations, growth deficits and central nervous system problems.

"FASD is 100 percent preventable," said Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo. "OASAS is committed to educating all New Yorkers that a healthy pregnancy must exclude alcohol and drugs. I encourage all women of child-bearing age to learn more about how to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby and to know that if you have an alcohol or drug problem, there is hope and help available by calling 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369)."

As part of our on-going efforts to educate New Yorkers about this tragic disorder, OASAS conducted a poster challenge with a grant from the New York State Council on Children and Families under their Early Childhood Comprehensive Services Program. The poster challenge established a fun foundation for kids in grades 6 to 12 for educating them about the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Commissioner Carpenter-Palumbo continued, "This poster challenge is an excellent example of a prevention activity that educates youth about these risks so that during their lifetime, they can make healthy choices for themselves and their families."

The poster challenge was implemented through a partnership between New York's prevention network of local Councils on Addiction, their local middle and high schools and other youth organizations. The students who participated learned that alcohol and pregnancy do not mix and were asked to express their knowledge and attitudes through artistic expression.

Three posters were selected from among the entries submitted. These will be made into a poster and disseminated back to the schools and communities. The entries are:

• Daniel Pariso, age 13, 7th grader at the Johanna Perrin Middle School, Fairport Central School District;
• Tessa Ooyama, age 13, 7th grader at the Johanna Perrin Middle School, Fairport Central School District ; and
• Corteney Miller, age 13, 7th grader at the Johanna Perrin Middle School, Fairport Central School District.

Through a grant from Northrop Grumman, OASAS is working to prevent FASD through Project CHOICES which focuses on women of child-bearing age who are at risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancies. OASAS is also developing and advocating for programs and policies that support FASD prevention through our active involvement with the statewide, multi-agency FASD Prevention Task Force.

In New York state, more than 7,300 pregnant women received treatment for an alcohol problem over the last five years. Research indicates that nationally one in 10 pregnant women drink and 40,000 babies are born each year with FASD.

OASAS oversees one of the nation's largest addiction services systems dedicated to Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, with more than 1,550 programs serving over 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day.

Addiction is a chronic disease and New Yorkers need to know that help and hope is available. For those who are pregnant or may become pregnant, there is help and hope for you and your baby to have the best possible healthy life. Call the HOPEline, toll-free, 24-hour 7 days a week at 1-877-8-HOPENY. For more information, visit http://www.oasas.state.ny.us.