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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day
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WHEREAS, children are the future of Alaska, and it is important to keep them healthy; and
WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), which include Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Effects, Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder, and Alcohol-Related Birth Defects, can cause great harm to the wellness and health of our children; and
WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, one of the most severe potential effects of drinking during pregnancy, continues to be the leading cause of mental disabilities in Alaska, the Untied States, and all of the western world; and
WHEREAS, in Alaska, it is estimated that 15.4 births per 1,000 are affected by disabilities from prenatal exposure to alcohol during the nine months of pregnancy, equaling 154 new individuals born in Alaska with alcohol-related birth defects each year; and
WHEREAS, FASDs are a major cause of social disorders, including learning disabilities, school failure, juvenile delinquency, unemployment, homelessness, mental illness, and crime; and
WHEREAS, the costs of FASDs are high, and are expensive for Alaska and our families. Lifetime costs in medical care, special education, specialized services, and lost productivity are estimated to be $1.5 to $3 million for each individual with these disorders; and
WHEREAS, FASDs are 100 percent preventable by forbearing the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy; and
WHEREAS, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day is observed annually all over the world on the ninth day of the ninth month of the year as a reminder that during the nine months of pregnancy, a woman should abstain from alcohol;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim September 9, 2009 as:
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day
in Alaska, to promote public awareness and understanding of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, enhance our statewide prevention efforts, increase compassion for those individuals so affected, minimize the lifelong effects of these disorders, and ensure healthier environments for our children across Alaska.
Dated: August 31, 2009