| Comment Number: | 526363-00037 |
| Received: | 11/10/2006 11:35:43 AM |
| Organization: | member of FASlink |
| Commenter: | Lindalee Soderstrom |
| State: | MN |
| Agency: | Federal Trade Commission |
| Rule: | Alcohol Reports |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
Dear People, I have a brother who died of alcohol suicide at the age of 30, a family background where numerous members have had alcohol addiction problems, clearly genetic as well as behavioral. Many are now sane and sober for which I thank the Higher Power. Alcohol is very close to my heart. My broken heart. I have adopted a child who as a baby, at 12 lbs and 12 months of age, was LUCKY to have his diagnosis with fetal alcohol syndrome at his birth. He is now 20yo and brags that he will drink as soon as he is 21yo. He legally smokes cigarettes already. What good will it do him to succumb to the alcohol industry's hard sell??? He will experience additional brain damage, maybe go with drunks who use people for Heaven knows what and never be seen again. If we do not lose him to the streets- perhaps he will drag this unsavory population to his own home- IF HE WERE EVER TO LIVE ON HIS OWN INDEPENDENTLY without the expected legal guardian, social workers, staff, drivers etc. Children with fetal alcohol exposure grow up to be adults dependent upon the social services and correctional systems and even therein are not safe as they may look somewhat normal but not likely actually be so. They struggle in relationships and employment. Just organizing their lives is majorly stressful and many have poor judgment and choose the wrong friends...........all their lives. Fetal Alcohol does not go away when someone grows up. It is not reversible with treatment. The addicted Mom can go into recovery but her child/ren exposed before birth to the alcohol bath can never ever [recover]. Upon invitation- I have taught 50 or so lectures as a guest speaker in the last 20 years which I call Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders #101. Each day as I prepare for my college student or community based audience, I clip liquor, beer and wine ads out of current magazines and glue them all to one big story board. At the outset of my lecture- I always ask what are the messages this industry is attempting to send to us and asking us to buy? Why are the warnings so small? Where does it mention fetal alcohol exposure- the hidden disability which comes from pregnant moms drinking alcohol in any form and in any amount? What exactly are we supposed to do with these messages as a society? I hear words responding to the ad content such as "glamorous," "sophisticated", fun.....expensive.....shiny, sexy, successful, colorful, glitter, party, attractive, and so on. This is truly -in my mind- proof that the alcohol industry does absolutely not take responsibility for it's product, nor sell any truth whatever in its messages. Do we really think the words DRINK SENSIBLY PLEASE is going to save the 1,000 college students who die of acute alcohol poisoning every year after 21 shots on their 21st birthdays? What about the amount of domestic abuse and family chaos which occurs under the influence of alcohol every single day, across the globe? Death by auto is alcohol driven. Certainly we all know that. Where is the industry in keeping repeat DUI culprits off the road? When will the industry develop a blow into ignition key?? Never????? Most probably. Here is why I say that. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome's Spectrum of Disorders -both totally permanent and utterly preventable- have been a known disease process, a form of handicapping, a sure way to kill brain cells in the unborn child for the last 25-30 years, as well as through out all time, including ancient and biblical times.Do we see the "industry" funding the aftercare our kids need when they grow up. Those who grow up in foster, adoptive, grandparent, relative or sane and sober biological family homes still need somewhere to live with appropriate services and supports when they become young adults; neither fitting persistently mentally ill or developmentally disabled populations. They have their own unique special needs. Any and all profits from the sale of alcohol need first and foremost to go into the funding of these support