Our thanks to Steve for this.
In our last general election manifesto we had a section on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) (pp.7,8). Extracts from the Wikipedia page on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD):
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. Problems may include an abnormal appearance, short height, low body weight, small head size, poor coordination, low intelligence, behavior problems, and problems with hearing or seeing. Those affected are more likely to have trouble in school, legal problems, participate in high-risk behaviors, and have trouble with alcohol or other drugs. The most severe form of the condition is known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)…
FASD is estimated to affect between 2% and 5% of people in the United States and Western Europe. [J4MB emphasis] FAS is believed to occur in between 0.2 and 9 per 1000 live births in the United States. In South Africa, some populations have rates as high as 9%. The negative effects of alcohol during pregnancy have been described since ancient times. The lifetime cost per child with FAS was $2,000,000 in 2002 in the US.
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