State level alcohol legislation and its impact on FASD prevention and treatment

Researchers, policy analysts, and advocates place great emphasis on alcohol legislation as it relates to matters such as drunk driving, minimum age requirements, and taxation. Further, statistics are readily available on alcohol-related traffic accidents and fatalities, emergency department admissions from alcohol overdose, and the number of outlets serving underage drinkers. Regulatory information and statistics on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), however, are not so readily available and/or publicized.

FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in any individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. It is estimated that 40,000 babies are born each year with an FASD. Persons with an FASD face innumerable challenges, including difficulty in school, trouble obtaining and keeping jobs, and legal challenges. FASD costs the country about $4 billion each year.

The purpose of this presentation is to highlight State-level legislative efforts to address FASD. The presenter will discuss specific State legislation either introduced or passed, cross-state analyses on various types of FASD-related legislation (e.g., funding, prevention, treatment, reporting requirements for professionals), and concerns related to “hot-topic” legislative efforts (e.g., criminalization of women for alcohol use during pregnancy, the use of alcohol warning label legislation as a prevention mechanism). The research and analyses providing the basis for this report are conducted by The SAMHSA FASD Center for Excellence (The Center), a Federal initiative implemented in 2001 to reduce incidences of FASD and improve the quality of life for individuals impacted by these disorders.