Not drinking prevents birth defects (05/20/08)

To the editor:

All of our unborn children need your help.

We have a cure for the leading cause of birth defects - contrary to some professional opinions and older publications on pregnancy. By refraining from drinking alcohol while pregnant or even thinking you may be pregnant, you will have cured the No. 1 cause of birth defects.

Researchers are now looking at the role fathers play in this impending epidemic. Of all the substances of abuse (including cocaine, heroine and marijuana) alcohol produces by far the most serious neurobehavioral affects in the fetus.

Fetal Alcohol Symdrome (FAS), Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE), Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARN) and Alcohol-related Birth Defects (ARBD) are some of the results of drinking while pregnant.

Symptoms may include some or all of the following:

•Growth defects

•Mental retardation

•Heart, lung and kidney defects

•Hyperactivity and memory loss

•Poor coordination or motor skill delays

•Difficulty with judgment and reasoning

•Learning disabilities

The brain damage is a matter of a dysfunction of the frontal lobes and possibly the corpus callosum, which causes the child to have inconsistent behavior that involves control impulses. We have much higher expectations for behavior than the child can handle.

The victims of this symdrome can respond as if they understand what you are saying, but will not be able to follow through with appropriate behaviors because of the lack of cognitive abilities.

They are often given more freedom than is safe for them, which sets them up for failure because of the inability to predict when they will be functional and when they will be in FAS mode. They do not have the ability to understand cause and effect. It is a life-long sentence with a continuum of disabilities that they will deal with all of their lives.

It is so important to have an early diagnosis, which can happen more quickly by honestly informing your doctor of your drinking behavior while pregnant. The doctor then can refer you to a specialist who can diagnose your child.

Since we have only known of this symdrome since the late 1970s and early 1980s, it is a matter of taking time to inform the public with valid information. If you type in FAS online, you will be inundated with information on this subject.

When we unite together to inform the public about this devastating and totally preventable birth defect, we then can hopefully eliminate this life-long sentence.

There is power in knowledge.

Sheron McClung and Wood Barwick, members, Jay County Drug Coalition

Thanks

To the editor:

The Arch Bridge Kroozers would like to thank the community for its support in making our car show a great success and the members for all the hard work.

Also thanks to Portland's mayor, city council and county commissioners for opening the courthouse, along with the street department and merchants.

Also, thanks to Aker Taylor for all the extra behind-the-scenes electricity, water and use of their lot. Also, thanks to Mike's Rent-All and Moser Motors and Baird-Freeman Funeral Home.

We may have missed someone, but we express our appreciation to all. A big thank you.

Dave Frasher, president,

For the members of the

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