The West Australian

News,
page 17

Child health,
alcohol

Foetal alcohol children at risk

Perth researchers say police and judges need to be more aware of young people who get into trouble because they have behavioural problems from their mother's drinking during pregnancy. The Telethon Institute for Child Health Research is doing an Australia-first study into how children and young adults with alcohol-related birth defects are treated in the criminal justice system. The Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation is giving $200,000 for the project and a separate study in how children in State care are screened for the disorder. Chief executive Michael Thorn said foetal alcohol disorders were a lifelong disability but were poorly recognised and under-reported in Australia. There was also evidence their difficulties made them at increased risk of criminal behaviour. Telethon chief investigator Raewyn Mutch said a youth with the disorder may not grasp the severity of the situation when dealing with police, lawyers or magistrates.

The West Australian

Health & Medicine

page, 2

Alcohol,

Indigenous health, child health

Alcohol in pregnancy can harm our babies

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is now being revealed as a tragic legacy of alcohol misuse. And the condition is not isolated to marginalised, disadvantaged communities, researchers say... The stereotype of problem drinking only affecting Aboriginal and remote communities needs to be turned on its head, says paediatrician Raewyn Mutch...  In fact, because they recognise their alcohol problems, Aboriginal communities such as those in the Ord Valley in Kununurra and the Fitzroy Valley are leading the way in tackling alcohol harms and improving child health, Dr Mutch says.  "It's a kind of inverted racism really - all the negativity is attributed to Aboriginal communities whereas they are the communities that are doing the most remarkable work to make sure their kids are healthy and to retain culture.   But efforts aimed at prevention are vital and include educating young people and the community at large about the dangers of unsafe drinking.