October 2011

The latest trend for teens to get drunk is to soak Gummy Bears or Gummy Worms in vodka.  The alcohol-soaked candy can then be eaten in plain sight of parents and/or teachers.

When the gummy candies are soaked in vodka, they absorb the alcohol and turn into a fruity treat with a very powerful kick. What teens do not realize is that they cannot know how much of the vodka was soaked into the gummy candy, thus they have no idea how much vodka they’re actually consuming with each bear or worm.
It would take only a couple of handfuls to raise a teen’s blood alcohol level to a dangerous situation. Alcohol poisoning symptoms can include slurred speech, confusion, lack of coordination, double vision, nausea, vomiting, seizures, low body temperature, slowed breathing rate, coma and death.

Instructions to make these “drunken gummies” abound on the Internet. Social media sites, YouTube and digital communication have made this a very different world for our youth. The Coalition hopes this E-Alert makes parents and teachers aware of this new alcohol abuse trend.

Read more posts about this trend by clicking on the links below:

Alcoholic Gummy Bears a New Trend Among Teens

Huffington Post and New Trend with Teen Drinking

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — The Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are joining the Ad Council today to unveil a new series of national public service advertisements (PSAs) to raise awareness about childhood lead poisoning. The PSAs are being distributed today to kick off National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW). Additionally, the campaign’s social media presence through Facebook and Twitter will reinforce to parents, caregivers and pregnant women that if their home was built before 1978, they should have their child tested for lead poisoning.

Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children, yet an estimated 1 million children are affected. A simple blood test can prevent permanent damage that will last a lifetime. If lead poisoning is not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity), slowed growth, hearing problems and aggressive behavior.

Please share the following PSA on Lead Poisoning Prevention click on this link.

NOFAS Weekly Roundup – Volume 2, Issue 41

The NOFAS Weekly Roundup features news articles, research, event
announcements, new materials and other highlights from around the world
of FASD. The Roundup also includes the latest news from NOFAS and a link
to the Calendar of Events page on the NOFAS website.

FEATURES

ICCFASD Research to Practice Conference to-be-held October 31-November 2

The Interagency Coordinating Committee on FASD (ICCFASD) will hold the
Research to Practice Conference on Recognizing Alcohol-related
neurodevelopment disorder (ARND) in Primary Health Care of Children in
Rockville, Maryland on October 31 – November 2, 2011.

Conference Announcement, NIAAA, October 2011

18-year-old’s jailing reveals huge hole in mental health system,
advocates say

Jeremy Weaver, a young man with FAS is in limbo for a crime that he may
or may not have committed.  Jeremy’s parents believe the Texas Justice
System is doing little to help him and others with disabilities that are
currently on trial.

Article, Victoria Advocate, October 15, 2011

NIH releases clinician’s guide for screening underage drinkers

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has
recently released the Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for
Youth: A Practitioner’s Guide <http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/YouthGuide>  for
healthcare professionals.

Press Release, NIAAA, October 13, 2011

More funding, help needed to fight substance abuse in Utah, experts say

Utah Attorney General, Mark Shurtleff talks about having a daughter with
FAS and encourages the Utah State Government to put more funding toward
substance abuse prevention programs.

Article, The Salt Lake Tribune, October 13, 2011

‘Addiction and Art’ book wins award, inspires another exhibit

“Addiction and Art” features pictures and commentary on sixty-one pieces
of art related to addiction.  The book’s featured artists are addicts
and those affected by addiction in some way.

Article, The Frederick News-Post, October 13, 2011

Experts differ on effects of alcohol in pregnancy

Gordon Jeyes, Ireland’s National Director of Family and Childcare
Services, recently said that the best way to raise educational standards
is to ensure that women are not drinking alcohol during their
pregnancies, however, one expert disagrees saying that he was “not aware
of any research that suggested moderate drinking during pregnancy would
harm a child’s capacity to develop.”

Article, Irish Times, October 11, 2011

Gaps in maternal health data identified

A recent report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
shows that Australia lacks data to assess the impact of alcohol and
substance abuse during pregnancy and has recently launched the Closing
the Gap Initiative.

Article, Nursing Review, October 11, 2011

Program to look at problems caused by alcohol abuse

Peter Johnson of Healthy Brains for Children of Brainerd, Minnesota
recently presented “Why Are So Many Kids in Special Ed? What Does
Alcohol Have to Do With It?” to raise awareness of FASD in the Brainerd
Lakes area.

Article, Brainerd Dispatch, October 11, 2011

NOFAS

NOFAS Profile: Dr. Leigh Tenkku of NOFAS Missouri

Dr. Leigh Tenkku, chair of NOFAS Missouri talks about her work training
medical professionals and supporting people with FASD as they transition
to adulthood.

HaysKids: Pathways to Understanding

John Hays of HaysKids of Grand Rapids, Minnesota shares his insight in
to raising children with FASD.  The featured video is 67 minutes and has
been divided into five parts on the AlcoholFreePregnancy YouTube page.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NJ Coalition for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities, of  The Arc of New Jersey has provided this timely and relevant update.

What’s Going on in Prevention?

New Jersey will begin to implement a new concussion law and new guidelines for managing sports-related concussions

A new test will be able to look for a biomarker that indicates exposure to alcohol in the umbilical cord of fetuses

A healthy pregnancy diet has been found to reduce the likelihood of birth defects

Toxic chemicals are being found in umbilical cord blood of babies and air pollution has been linked to pre-term births

A frightening new trend among youth has them able to creatively disguise underage drinking

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the Battat Corporation,  announced a voluntary recall Musical Wooden Table Toys. Click here to read more information about this recalled toy.

NOFAS Vice President and International Spokesperson, Kathy Mitchell
responds to popular NBC show, Parenthood.  Last week’s episode featured
a scene in which a pregnant woman drinks champagne at her baby shower.

Is alcohol safe to drink during pregnancy? Hear What Kathy Mitchell says in this video.