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| Title | Sarah Ward, the president of WWCTU (World Woman's Christian Temperance Union), "Drinking during pregnancy has the possibility of causing FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)" | 2008.05.15 |
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FROM: 국민일보 Sarah Ward, the president of WWCTU (World Woman's Christian Temperance Union), "Drinking during pregnancy has the possibility of causing FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)" "Women are those who protect the family. They ought to protect their family from alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Is there anyone else, in the family, who influences children like a mother? We have to teach our children from childhood the harms that arise from alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Our body is a holy temple dedicated to God." Ward, the president of WWCTU, while attending the opening ceremony of 'the Institute of Prevention from FAS and Drug Intoxication' in Dongjadong, Seoul, on May 9th, said that the U.S. and England are actively promoting national anti-smoking laws and are taking the initiative to create smoking-free environments. She said that she expected Korea follow suit. In particular, while giving lectures about FAS, at Ewha Woman's University, Yonsei University, and the Military Training Center, she was especially worried about the possibility of a high birth rate with FAS in near future by female Korean university graduates because 90 percent of them drink alcohol. "If a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it reaches the embryo within one minute and stays within its body for 24 hours. This is because the liver of an adult dissolves alcohol at a rough rate of 30㎖ per hour, while the liver of an embryo contains it like a sponge until the mother dissolves all the alcohol in her bloodstream." Those with FAS may have symptoms such as low IQ,, ADD (Attention-Deficit Disorder), conduct disorder, and mood disorders. These symptoms are developed in children born to women who drink alcohol during their pregnancy. Unusual facial features such as having a smooth philtrum, a markedly thin lower lip, a short brow, and small eyes are the external features of FAS. The average IQ of those born with FAS is about 70 and they show learning disabilities all throughout their lives. Also, most cases of FAS consist of generally inattentive individuals. Ward noted that the WWCTU launched a campaign for the prevention of FAS on September 9th, 1999. Symbolizing the nine months for which an embryo stays within its mother's body, the WWCTU members ring bells and initiate the campaign at 9:00 a.m. on September 9th every year. As of now, about 40 member nations participate in this campaign. "There are no safety standards for the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy because alcohol damages the embryo regardless of the amount, frequency or timing of alcohol consumption. The probability of giving birth to a baby with a defect for a woman who drinks during pregnancy is 6.5 times higher than for a woman who does not drink during pregnancy. However, as long as women do not drink alcohol during pregnancy, FAS can be completely prevented. Alcohol destroys brain cells and damaged cells are not recovered but are inherited. Therefore, both men and women must abstain from drinking for the sake of their next generation." Ward explained both the meaning and the importance of the Temperance Movement, which was started from the prayers of women. It started in the U.S. in the mid-1870s by women who were suffering from domestic violence caused by alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Ward said, "At that time, women joined forces and visited bars all over the cities and towns and persuaded them not to sell alcohol. They also prayed, gave lectures, and paraded. As a result of their efforts, 50 days afterwards, the sale of alcohol and drugs disappeared from more than 250 towns and cities, attendance in churches increased by 100 percent, and the occurrences of crimes remarkably decreased. Also, in the U.S., in 1928, the Volstead Act was passed, which was proposed by the temperance campaign. The temperance campaign brought many changes to the life structure of the U.S., such as the establishment of public preschools, the expansion of the women's education system, and so on." Ward said that she was very pleased at the opening of the Institute of Prevention from FAS and Drug Intoxication by KWCTU (Korea Woman's Christian Temperance Union) and hoped more people would be informed of FAS through the institute. She also said, "I will help many people resist addiction through the education of temperance. which makes people aware of the harms of alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. And I will also help more countries participate in the temperance movement." Meanwhile, KWCTU (whose president is Young Joo Kim) celebrated the official visit of the WWCTU delegation to Korea, and the opening of the Institute of Prevention from FAS and Drug Intoxication to cherish the memory of the late Kwi Ok Yeu, the former president of KWCTU. All her life, Yeu dedicated herself to the temperance movement, spreading the Gospel and awakening people on the harms of all kinds of narcotic drugs such as alcohol and nicotine. The president of KWCTU, Kim said, "The institute will help the public to be aware of the harms of alcohol, cigarettes, and other addictive drugs through the volunteering of eminent scholars within and outside of the country. Also, we will make efforts to help anti-smoking and anti-drinking laws pass through the National Assembly." The president of WWCTU, Ward, gave lectures in Sarang Church on the 10th and in Nonsan military church on the 13th; Ward is leaving on the 13th (Kookmin Daily Newspaper, May 12, 2008). |
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