April is a time to raise public awareness about the use of alcohol and its affects on individuals, families, businesses and our communities.
As April draws to a close, Adoption STAR didn’t want to forget to acknowledge that this month is Alcohol Awareness Month. It represents an obvious opportunity to remind people that there is a lot of direct help and assistance available to families affected by alcohol use, be it in the form of education, prevention, intervention, information/referral, treatment, or recovery support services.
For example, a trusted Western New York-based resource is the Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse.
In the recent past, this fine organization provided Adoption STAR staff with a training via its Fetal Alcohol and Drug Effects (FADE) program. The training focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and described the full range of physical, cognitive, and behavioral issues that may occur due to prenatal alcohol exposure, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
As the training reminded us, FASD is 100% preventable. Also, lifelong secondary disabilities may be prevented or substantially reduced with effective early intervention services.
The Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse also offers a family support group for families that are dealing with FASD. The group itself provides an opportunity for families to come together to discuss their needs with each other and the organization’s professionals.
The support groups are typically offered once a month on both a Wednesday morning and then again on Wednesday evening. Please contact staff members Helen or Teresa for a list of upcoming meetings. They can be reached via telephone at 716-831-2298.
To review, download, or print a brochure that touches on various aspects of the organization’s work with FADE, please click here: Fetal Alcohol & Drug Effects (FADE)