May 12, 1999

Alcohol and pregnancy don't mix

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
       A simple smiling face says it all.
      On an educational poster about preventing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, apple juice, milk, water and pop all have a hovering smile over them. They are okay for pregnant women to drink, the smile says.
      Alcohol has a frown over it, a clear thumbs-down warning pregnant women not to consume it.
      Allison Mauk created this winning poster last month for poster contest on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome sponsored by the ARC Grand Traverse. Each of the 120 7th grade students in Amanda Blumenfeld's gym classes at East Junior High School drew a poster for the contest, some using computer art or elaborate drawings to convey this important message.
      "I was surprised and excited to win," Mauk said. "I wanted to show people what you could drink during pregnancy."
      Mauk and her positive approach to presenting the message earned her first place and a check for $50, which was presented to her Monday morning by Laura Sutherin, education program director of the ARC Grand Traverse. Money to sponsor the contest, now in its third year, was donated by Early On and Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities.
      Sutherin came to four physical education classes on April 23 to give students a survey to complete and a presentation on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Students had a week to complete their entries.
      Sutherin told students that 5,000 babies are diagnosed each year with the syndrome and more with Fetal Alcohol Effects, which is caused by lower levels of exposure. Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can have learning disabilities, short attention span, hyperactivity and other behavioral problems. Infants born with this syndrome can have low birth weight, poor muscle tone and sleep disorders.
      The ARC Grand Traverse targets 7th graders for this program because that is an age where students are studying about the ill effects of alcohol and tobacco, Sutherin said. They are sophisticated enough to understand the message and still young enough to listen.
      "Our goal next year is to offer this to all physical education students in the 7th grade," said Sutherin. "This year we just started with the students from one teacher's classes. Next year we will offer it to all the physical education teachers for their 7th graders."
      A survey taken before Sutherin's presentation showed that 75 percent of the class had heard some of this information.
      "I sort of knew about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, that it wasn't good to drink during pregnancy," Mauk said. "It is easier to remember this kind of message when you are younger, if you grow up with something you learn it."
      Alcohol is a contributing factor to the leading preventable cause of mental retardation: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. No one is sure how much alcohol is needed to cause birth defects so the national ARC organization and many other health organizations advise avoiding it altogether during pregnancy. To raise awareness of this fact, the ARC has designated May 9-15 is National Alcohol & Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Awareness Week.
      During this week, the ARC Grand Traverse is focusing on raising awareness of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. In addition to the poster contest, they will also have an on all the tables in the food court at the Grand Traverse Mall, a billboard and a series of radio announcements.
      "No one is really sure how much alcohol causes birth defects," Sutherin said. "It's best just to avoid it."