[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 11 (Tuesday, February 8, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          COMPREHENSIVE FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME PREVENTION ACT

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I am happy to announce my support and 
cosponsorship of the Comprehensive Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention 
Act.
  Fetal alcohol syndrome, known as FAS, is a devastating, incurable 
condition that affects the children of mothers who drink alcohol during 
pregnancy. These children have a wide range of problems from low birth 
weight, hyperactivity, and mental retardation, to organ dysfunction, 
and life threatening seizures.
  Fetal alcohol effect, FAE, is a related disorder with similar but 
less severe problems than individuals with FAS.
  The Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 8,000 
alcohol-damaged babies are born each year. These numbers make FAS the 
leading cause of mental retardation at birth in this country. The 
effects of FAS and FAE never go away. There is no treatment or cure for 
this birth defect.
  In Indian country, incidence of FAS and FAE is much higher. 
Approximately 1 in 99 American Indians are born with FAS. This means 1 
in 99 Indian children will be denied the opportunity to learn and grow 
as they should. They will be denied the opportunity to live their lives 
with healthy bodies and independent spirits, and this Nation will be 
denied their contributions to society.
  I am very sorry to report that the devastating effect of fetal 
alcohol syndrome is more pervasive in some communities than others.
  On the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, one in four children 
is born to a woman who consumed alcohol during her pregnancy. These 
innocent children will never enjoy a healthy mind and body that most of 
us take for granted.
  But this condition is 100 percent preventable. It doesn't have to 
happen at all. Mothers who abstain from alcohol during pregnancy will 
not have a child with FAS or FAE. The message is simple. If you are 
pregnant, protect your baby and do not drink alcohol.
  Of mothers who bear one alcohol-afflicted child, at least a quarter 
will produce other FAS or FAE children. And a majority of these 
children end up in foster care, because their mother dies, is 
incapacitated or incapable of caring for her family.
  This cycle of family deterioration can and must be stopped, but only 
through serious education and prevention efforts.
  A 1985 study found that nearly half of the U.S. population under the 
age of 45 had never heard of FAS. How can a mother who does not know 
the consequences of drinking alcohol take steps to protect her child?
  The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse estimated the cost 
of treatment for individuals with FAS in 1980 to be nearly $1.56 
million. No doubt the figure is higher today.
  But we can eliminate fetal alcohol syndrome and effect, and the 
financial and social costs. This condition is 100 percent preventable.
  The Comprehensive Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Act would 
establish a comprehensive program to prevent further incidence of FAS 
and FAE. The legislation would:
  Coordinate and support national public awareness, prevention and 
education programs on FAS and FAE;
  Coordinate and support FAS/FAE research;
  Distribute FAS and FAE diagnostic information to health care and 
social service providers;
  Foster coordination among all federal agencies that conduct or 
support FAS and FAE research.
  I applaud the efforts of my colleagues Tom Daschle, Jeff Bingaman,  
and Bill Richardson and many others in their efforts to educate the 
public about the perils of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
  Passage of this legislation will put us one step closer to 
eliminating fetal alcohol syndrome and effect. I urge each of my 
colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation, and working for 
its speedy passage.

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