Toolkit Supports Efforts in Native Communities to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

SAMHSA Search

Contact Media Services: (240) 276-2130

Date: 7/5/2007
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press
Telephone: 240-276-2130

Toolkit Supports Efforts in Native Communities to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

A toolkit to help Native communities protect their children from the harm caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy is now available from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Resource Kit is designed to help mothers-to-be and their friends, relatives, health professionals, and leaders understand and prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. FASD describes the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications.

Each year, at least 40,000 babies are born with an FASD in the United States, and Native communities have some of the highest rates. This new resource will support prevention and treatment efforts in American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.

The kit, which was developed and reviewed by representatives from Native communities and FASD experts, includes the following:

Current data and statistics on FASD
Fact sheets and brochures for women, men, youth and communities on how to prevent FASD and how to find help
Strategies for FASD education and prevention
Posters that can be copied and shared
FASD--The Basics, a slide presentation for people with no prior knowledge of or experience with FASD
A CD with an electronic version of the entire resource kit

The American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Resource Kit is available on the Web at http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/productDetails.aspx?ProductID=17702. Copies may be obtained free of charge by calling SAMHSA’s Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727). Request inventory number SMA07-4264. For related publications and information, visit http://www.samhsa.gov and the FASD Native Initiative Web site at http://fasdcenter.samhsa.gov/nativeinitiative/indexhtmlorflash.cfm.

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health services delivery system.

Page Last Updated: 7/5/2007