Alcohol use in pregnancy is the leading cause of birth defects and mental/ developmental disabilities in the Western world. It is estimated that it affects 1 in 100 infants. These disabilities are known as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD can lead to problems with learning, behaviour, attention, sleeping, memory and understanding the consequences of an individual´s actions.

An estimated 50% of individuals with FASD will end up in institutional care, a mental health facility or prison. It has been proposed that Australia spends more than $13 million a day on these individuals. In Tasmania, an estimated 57 babies will be born with FASD during 2007.

FASD is preventable yet many women are unaware of the risks of alcohol use in pregnancy. It is estimated that nearly 50% of women consume alcohol while pregnant. The DEN aims to raise awareness and increase understanding of this issue to reduce the impact on children, families and communities. A variety of programs have been implemented to achieve this:

1st National Conference on FASD
Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol (PEA) National Clearing House
National Guidelines for Pregnant Women Who Use Alcohol: Building Community Care
Educating and Informing the Community
Training Service Providers
Telephone helpline for FASD
Building networks state wide, nationally and internationally
Petitioning the Federal Government over labelling of alcoholic drinks

1st National Conference on FASD
In June 2007, the DEN hosted the 1st National Conference on FASD in Launceston, Tasmania. It was a great success and was well recieved by delegates. More information on the conference is available on the conference page.

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Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol (PEA) National Clearing House
The DEN has established a Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol National Clearing House in its North Western Office in Wynyard, Tasmania.  The clearing house has a library of resource information including training programs in FASD. It offers support and advice to individuals and familes affected by FASD. Training and resources can be accessed by the general and professional community. For further information please contact Vicki Russell.

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National Guidelines for Pregnant Women Who Use Alcohol: Building Community Care
The DEN is working in partnership with various organisations and individuals to develop "National Guidelines for Pregnant Women Who Use Alcohol: Building Community Care." The objectives of these guidelines are to:
 - Promote a better understanding of the specific needs of women who use alcohol in pregnancy;
 - Provide guidance to health, social and community professionals 
 - Promote community and professional interest and participation in their development; 
 - Introduce a model of community support (wrap-around systems of support) which may offer a community based alternative to treatment models.

The initial draft was discussed at the 1st National Conference on FASD. Delegates provided their thoughts, ideas and concerns during conference workshops. This work will be collated and recirculated to delegates and relevant parties for further comment as we work towards the final guidelines. For further information please contact Vicki Russell.

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Educating and Informing the Community
The key to reducing the number of FASD effected individuals is educating the general public. The DEN continues to implement activities which aim to inform the community, This includes:
 - Organising events, talks and other acitivities in communities;
 - Creating and distributing posters, flyers and other promotional material for the community;
 - Using the media (TV/Radio/Press) to highlight the issue and run relevant features.

We encourage the general public, community groups and the media to contact us for further information via telephone (1300 - 369 - 319) or email.  

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Training Service Providers
The DEN holds workshops and training sessions for service providers to increase understanding of the issues surrounding FASD. This includes supporting pregnant women, future mothers, families with FASD affected children and individuals affected by FASD. We hold events that are open to all interested parties and also provide workshops for specific organisations. Please see our events calendar for forthcoming workshops or contact the DEN for further information.

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Telephone helpline for FASD
The DEN provides information, resources, and referral on to specialist services via the DEN´s 1300 - 369 - 319 telephone help line.  This is available Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.00pm, and can be accessed by anyone wanting to know more about alcohol and drug issues, or who are seeking support and assistance regarding their own, or someone else´s drug use. Staff will also provide first point of contact information about FASD.

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Local, State-wide, National and International networks
The creation of networks around Tasmania, Australia and the world is an important part of raising awareness of this issue. The strength of these networks was evident at the 1st National Conference on FASD and increased during the two day event. Speakers from Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia were joined by FASD specialists from USA and Canada. Please see our links page for more information on these organisations.  

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Petitioning the Federal Government over labelling of alcoholic drinks
During the 1st National Conference on FASD, Yvonne Tilley raised a motion concerning the labelling of alcoholic drinks in Australia. She moved that the conference request the Federal Government to legislate that all alcoholic beverages sold in Australia carry warning labels highlighting that drinking alcohol while pregnant may cause birth defects. The motion was passed and delegates were invited to sign the petition. After consultation with Yvonne, the DEN has created an online petition to carry the motion and widen access to all, not just the delegates at the conference.

The petition can be viewed and signed at:
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/alcohol-use-in-pregnancy-labels-needed-to-warn-of-risks.html

We ask that everyone read the petition and if you agree with its aim to please sign it. We also ask you to send the link to everyone you know. Not only will this increase the success of the petition but it will raise awareness of the issue of FASD amongst a wide audience. We thank you in anticipation of your help on this matter.

We also intend to send the petition to State and Territory Governments so they can understand the importance of this issue and lobby the Federal Government.

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