Alcohol awareness campaign launched |03 July 2015

‘Lalkol Annou Dyaloge; Foetal Alcohol Syndrome’ is the theme for a one-month alcohol awareness campaign launched yesterday afternoon by the Drug and Alcohol Council (Dac) and its partners.

Its objective is to create awareness on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (Fas), to promote abstinence of alcohol while planning and during pregnancy and provide opportunities to address other alcohol related issues.

Fas is one of a group of preventable alcohol-related birth defects under the umbrella Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Others in the group are Foetal Alcohol Effects and Neurobehavioural Disorder associated with parental alcohol exposure.

Fas refers to a pattern of birth defects that may develop in children whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. It is one of the common ills -- physical, mental and social -- in the country impacting on the lives of some individuals with rippling effects across families, communities and society. It is the most recognisable form of FASD compared to the other forms that are less well-defined and more complex to diagnose.

Present at the launch of the campaign were Designated Minister Vincent Meriton; the Minister for Health Mitcy Larue; Attorney General Rony Govinden; high officials from health and social affairs; dignitaries and Seychelles’ reigning beauty queen Line Freminot.

Winners of the Dac poster competition for school children which was held earlier this year under the theme ‘Effect of Alcohol on the Family’ also received their prizes from Miss Freminot.
First prize went to Lea Gertrude of Primary 2 from La Retraite school, while Julio Beaudouin of Primary 2 from Anse Royale school clinched second prize. Third prize went to Chelsea Etienne, Primary 2 from Mont Fleuri school.

In her speech to launch the campaign, Minister Larue said: “Through this alcohol awareness month, we have yet another opportunity to inform our population that alcohol abuse is detrimental to every aspect and function of human life.”

She noted that this is not a new message as there have been several campaigns before from Dac, health, education, social affairs, the police, non-state actors, among others, to educate the people on the dangers of alcohol abuse.

“And the message over the years has been simple: drink responsibly and moderately,” she said.
She remarked that alcohol is a legal drug which is easily accessed and widely consumed and therefore we cannot prevent people from drinking.

But she added it should not stop them from raising awareness of its potential dangers and negative impacts and should also not stop each and everyone of us to realise that our actions and lifestyles have consequences.

Highlighting the subject which she said is becoming a problem in Seychelles, the minister asked how many people are really aware of Fas in Seychelles.

Therefore, she said, we have a duty to ensure that all expecting mothers are made aware of the serious and life-threatening harm they are causing not only to their own bodies but that of their unborn child.

“The message again is simple: alcohol can destroy the foetal development at any stage during pregnancy. If you want to protect your baby, then do not drink,” she urged.
She also advised fathers to encourage their partners not to drink during pregnancy.

The launch also saw presentations by Dac’s director Yvana Theresine on the National Alcohol Policy; Dr Erna Athanasius, ambassador for Women and Children’s Affairs on the Fas and also by Miss Freminot on the preciousness of life and the need to protect it and not poison it in the womb.

Posters which were entered in the competition were also on display in an exhibition.