Sept. 9 recognized as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day
Local groups called attention to National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Day on Tuesday in San Luis Obispo. White flags were placed on the lawn in front of San Luis Obispo County Courthouse to represent the number of pregnant women who use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco in the county.
The display was organized by two groups, Beginnings of San Luis Obispo County and First 5 of San Luis Obispo County. Beginnings is a group of individuals, agencies, health professionals and policy makers dedicated to the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. First 5 is a nonprofit child-advocacy organization that is part of the First 5 California Children and Families Act, created in 1998 when voters passed Proposition 10 to invest tobacco tax revenues in programs to improve the lives of children in California.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is a group of birth defects caused by a mother’s consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. FASD includes fetal alcohol syndrome, which is the most severe form of the condition. It is estimated that at least 1 percent of children in the U.S have alcohol-related birth defects. There is no known safe amount of alcohol or safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy.
