Intervention is prevention says visiting US professor
Friday, 9 May 2008.
Originally from Healthlines (WDHB staff newsletter) article May 2008
By Di from Auckland Community Alcohol and Drug Services (CADS)
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| In the photo: (from left) Dr Rose Neild (CADS Pregnancy and Parental Service Dr), Dr Therese Grant, Pereme Porter (WDHB kaumatua), Marijke Cederman (CADS Pregnancy and Parental Service Clinical Team Leader) and Diana Rands (CADS Communication Co-ordinator). |
'Intervention is prevention' when it comes to reducing the incidence of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) says Dr Therese Grant, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Washington.
Dr Grant addressed 120 health professionals including doctors, nurses, midwives and social workers at a one-day seminar held in west Auckland last month.
She was hosted by Waitemata DHB’s Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) and Alcohol Healthwatch.
An epidemiologist who has worked in perinatal substance abuse research and intervention for more than two decades, Dr Grant has shown that strengthening mothers’ interpersonal relationships and ensuring they are engaged with all available services not only benefits mothers and their families, but can reduce the incidence of FASD.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a term used to describe a range of disabilities, including Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, that may affect people whose mothers drank alcohol while they were pregnant.
CADS communications co-ordinator Diana Rands says it was an excellent day.
'It was very affirming for the CADS Pregnancy and Parental Service because they already use the service delivery model that Dr Grant spoke of.'
CADS can be accessed by ringing 845 1818 or by visiting www.cads.org.nz.
If you have concerns about your own or someone else's alcohol or other drug use, or if you'd like more information, contact CADS on 845 1818 www.cads.org.nz. If you live outside Auckland contact Alcohol and Drug Helpline 0800 787 797.
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