Help bring about more awareness

Thanks for publishing the article “Effects linger for children with fetal alcohol disorder” (Oct. 25).

As stated in the article, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a group of physical, neurological and behavioral characteristics that range from mildly impacting to severely impacting the ability of a person affected to live independently in our community. In Minnesota, an estimated 8,500 babies are born each year with permanent brain damage caused by prenatal alcohol use. The costs to treat people affected by FASD are staggering. In Minnesota, that cost is over $131 million annually.

While there are a number of excellent interventions to help these children, there is no way to fix the damage done to their brains and central nervous system caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. FASD is 100 percent preventable. According to the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Alcohol Use During Pregnancy, (February 2005), there is no safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy.

To learn more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the myths surrounding the use of alcohol while pregnant, check out http://www.mofas.org./

Together we can bring about awareness of the dangers of alcohol use while pregnant. Help support our next generation by eliminating Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Strnad is a family resource coordinator

Tags: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, opinion, letters, health, pregnancy