Help, hope exist in fight against FAS

Official proclamations are part of the duties of the governor. Such proclamations often are made with little or no fanfare and get little notice in return. The most recent one, however, should cause all Alaskans to pay attention.

Gov. Frank Murkowski has proclaimed Saturday Alaska Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day. The proclamation is made in conjunction with the eighth annual international FAS awareness day.

This should be of special concern to Alaskans because the state has one of the highest documented rates of FAS in the country. According to state Department of Health and Social Services statistics, the rate of FAS in newborns is 1.5 per every 1,000 births. That translates to about 15 Alaska infants who come into the world each year afflicted with some form of the disorder.

Additionally, more than 126 children born each year in Alaska are at risk for FAS because of their mothers' use of alcohol during pregnancy. On a related note, 755 Alaskans tested for FAS between 2000 and 2005 were diagnosed with some level of brain damage due to their prenatal exposure to alcohol.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is serious business with serious ramifications for all Alaskans, since infants born with FAS are likely to need some form of state assistance. FAS is a permanent birth defect brought on by alcohol consumption during pregnancy that destroys growing and developing cells. Manifestations of the disorder range from developmental delays and neurological abnormalities to learning and behavior disabilities. In fact, FAS is one of the most common causes of mental retardation.

Such impact on the most innocent Alaskans is made sadder by the fact that FAS is completely preventable. Therein, fortunately, also lies hope.

Avoiding FAS is as simple as not using alcohol during pregnancy. Unfortunately, this may not be so simple for everyone. Changing habitual or addictive behavior often requires the help and support of loved ones.

There are plenty of resources for women and couples considering pregnancy who desire to do so without risking their baby's long-term health by prenatal exposure to alcohol. There is a wealth of information available on the Web, including through the state's Office of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, at www.hss.state.ak.us/fas, and the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome's Web site at www.nofas.org.

Personal physicians also are a good first point of contact. Information about alcohol abuse and addiction in general can be found, too, at local facilities like Starting Point, 1075 Check St., Wasilla, and Mat-Su Treatment Center, 291 East Swanson Ave., Wasilla.