News di Alcologia

The umbrella term, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), describes the consequences that can occur in an individual whose

mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.
A substantial number of European women are not aware of the harm alcohol may have on the unborn child.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy may cause physical, behavioural and learning disabilities (i.e. reductions in general

intellectual functioning, deficits in verbal language, spatial memory, comprehension and reasoning skills etc.) These

developmental disorders are 100% preventable.
We should all be able to make informed decisions and know about the negative consequences of drinking while pregnant. To this

end labels on alcoholic beverages should carry a health warnings informing the consumer about the negative impact and

encouraging not drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
Such move would be supported by the overwhelming majority (79% according to latest Eurobarometer survey[1]) of the public,

with support in some countries ranging to 93% (Poland, Cyprus and Romania)
At the moment only France requires alcoholic beverage containers to carry a warning about the risks of drinking during

pregnancy.
Mariann Skar, Secretary General of Eurocare, said: "We call upon governments in Member States for more effective prevention,

such as issuing clear guidelines of abstinence for pregnancy, and introducing health warning labels on alcoholic beverages.

We also call for comprehensive training of professionals who have a key role to play in the prevention and reduction of

alcohol related harm."
Throughout Europe organisations working on prevention of FASD are organising events marking FASD Day raising awareness about

dangers of drinking while pregnant.

Italy
Region Veneto, Azienda ULSS 9 TReviso and Eurocare Italia: Conference on FASD, 9th September, Hotel Relais Monaco, Ponzano

Veneto
In Italy about 60% of pregnant women consume alcohol, with risks to the health of the unborn. In Italy about 60% of pregnant

women consume alcohol, with Risks to the health of the unborn. On this basis, region of Veneto is holding, a cultural and

media prevention campaign against alcohol during pregnancy, entitled "Mommy drinks, baby drinks.
Established with the support of the Medical Center's on Health, Culture and Communication Agency "Fabrica" and presented by

the Director General,Claudio Dario, "Mommy drinks, baby drinks" is a part of a larger project, "Marcia Kambi - Pending

changes" made by Alcohology Service of the Department for addictions in collaboration with the University of Trieste.The

campaign plans to disseminate a message of communication via the channels of the company health and social and public

transport (buses), with the collaboration of Fipe-Confcommercio and Ebicom for the publicity of the message with the network

of restaurants and merchants.

Finland
Access and Participation for Diverse People (FAIDD): Educational event concerning FASD for professionals, please note this

year event will take place on 23rd November, Rovaniemi

Netherlands
Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy (STAP) / FAS Foundation of the Netherlands: Launch report on alcohol advice by midwaves.
This research shows that midwives have the intention to advice women not to drink alcohol, but they underestimate the

percentage of women who continue drinking alcohol during their pregnancy, they only give advice about alcohol to women who

confirmed that they are drinking alcohol and they have insufficient knowledge about the damaging effects of alcohol during

pregnancy.

Poland
State Agency for Prevention of Alcohol-Related Problems (PARPA): Campaign ‘Pregnancy With No Alcohol'
The campaign addresses pregnant women or to those who plan to be pregnant as well as to the whole society.There are several

methods of communication used in the campaign: TV and radio spots, billboards and other education materials. The campaign is

supported by more than 600 community governments that have organized local debates and trainings in their communities. Over

250 thousand educational materials were distributed, including leaflets, brochures, posters and films. The materials were

distributed to gynecological outpatient clinics, healthcare centers, social assistance centers and other public institutions.

Spain
FARE and Socidrogalcohol: Conference ‘Alcohol during pregnancy: the serious problems for the baby if the mother takes

alcohol', 9th September, Palacio de La Alhondiga, Zamora