"An Act relating to the posting and giving of certain warnings about drinking alcohol during pregnancy when selling or dispensing pregnancy testing kits, birth control devices, or birth control prescriptions."

Prenatal Alcohol Poisoning of unborn children (FAS/FAE) is the leading cause of permanent mental deficits today and Alaska has the highest rate in North America.

In an attempt to slow down this poisoning of Alaskan children, former Senate President Drue Pearce sponsored our present law requiring bars to post warnings about the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant.

SB-156 takes our efforts the next step by facilitating and requiring a notification to accompany products used by sexually active people including pregnancy testing kits, contraceptive devices, and birth control prescriptions.

We have talked with organizations representing drug manufactures and retailers and it appears that they will actively support this effort or at least not resist this initiative.

Much more must be done to stop the scourge of Fetal Alcohol Poisoning of our children but this small step will help by raising awareness of the existence and the severity of the problem related to drinking alcohol while pregnant.

Last Updated: 04/07/2003

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