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February 20, 2004 Robling, Kohls Propose New Strategies To Prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Alcohol Abuse Can Cause Permanent Physical and Mental Defects in Fetus St. Paul – To prevent or limit the incidence of birth defects known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, State Senator Claire Robling (R-Prior Lake) and State Representative Paul Kohls (R-Victoria) have introduced legislation to permit qualified medical professionals to commit pregnant women who are determined to be abusing alcohol or drugs to emergency care or a treatment facility. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome affects hundreds of infants in Minnesota each year and is entirely preventable. It is caused by excessive alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy. Alcohol in a woman’s blood stream interferes with the ability of the fetus to receive the oxygen and nourishment that is necessary for normal development and can result in physical and mental deformities that require lifelong care. Babies born with fetal alcohol syndrome can suffer from smaller heads, deformed facial features, abnormal joints and limbs, poor coordination, problems with learning, and short memories. They also often exhibit anti-social behavior. “If we see someone violently shaking a child, we know we should rush to stop them because of the potential brain damage that could result,” said Robling. “In the same way, if we are aware of pregnant women who have serious substance abuse problems, we should have the courage and, if necessary, the legal tools necessary to prevent potentially serious damage to the baby. This change in the law will help us do that.” The bill would permit any person to request that a county conduct an investigation into whether a pregnant woman with a substance abuse problem should be committed to a treatment program. Before any commitment petition is filed, a county pre-petition screening team must review it. The screening team will gather information about the woman’s condition and decide whether they think she meets the requirements for commitment. Since voluntary admission is preferred over commitment, women who are found to be chemically dependent during the screening would be advised to voluntarily enter into a plan of treatment. If they refuse, the commitment process would proceed. All major authorities recommend that women who are pregnant or anticipating pregnancy abstain from drinking alcohol. Unfortunately, many women drink alcohol before they know they are pregnant. In addition, pregnant women who abuse alcohol frequently also smoke, use illegal drugs, are malnourished and receive inadequate medical care. Many states require that bars, restaurants and liquor stores display a sign stating that drinking can cause birth defects. Since 1989 every container of alcoholic beverage sold in this country has had to carry a warning that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects. The affect of some of the most insidious new methamphetamine drugs--ice, crystal, speed and crank--are not yet well-known, but scientists do know that long-term exposure to the chemicals used to make meth can cause birth defects. Researchers at the University of California estimate that these new drugs will result in six times more birth defects. "This legislation is not about punishing the behavior of drug or alcohol abuse,” Kohls said. “Rather, we are proposing to get pregnant women and their babies the help they need from social workers and health care professionals as soon as a problem is identified." “When a mother drinks alcohol, so does her baby. When a mother takes drugs, so does her baby. Those who are chemically dependent don’t make good decisions, and there are times when someone needs to step in, where we can affect two lives,” Robling concluded. “There are times when interested outsiders must intervene.” Wisconsin and South Dakota passed similar child protection laws in 1998, and dozens of states across the country have since considered similar legislation. Robling and Kohls announced their plan at a Capitol press conference on Tuesday. Students Aletha Pirtle, Brenda Guardado, Angie Versailles, and Theresa Arntzen from the New Beginnings program at the Carver-Scott Education Co-op in Chaska performed a three-minute skit to illustrate the dangers of alcohol to pregnant women. They were accompanied by New Beginnings teacher, Sue Schmidt. ### |
