Murkowski Urges Greater Awareness of the Consequences of Drinking During Pregnancy

Press Release

MURKOWSKI URGES GREATER AWARENESS OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRINKING DURING PREGNANCY

In commemoration of International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness Day, Senator Lisa Murkowski urges all Americans to spread the word that no amount of alcohol is safe to consume during the nine months of pregnancy. Senator Murkowski sponsored the resolution, which passed the Senate Monday night, designating September 9th 2008 as National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness Day.

Tragically, Alaska has the highest rate of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) in the nation. Furthermore, among Alaskan Native communities, the rate of FASD is 15 times higher than non-Native areas in the state.

"I encourage all my fellow Americans to promote awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol," Murkowski said Monday on the Senate floor. "We must minimize further effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol and bring greater awareness to a disease that is 100 percent preventable."

National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness Day encourages the American people to promote awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol; to increase compassion for individuals affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol; to minimize further effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol; and most importantly to bring greater awareness to a disorder that is 100 percent preventable. On this day, Americans are also encouraged to observe a moment of reflection on the ninth hour of September 9th, to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should not consume any alcohol.

Source