Women in Hartlepool are being warned of the dangers of drinking while pregnant at a series of health awareness events being staged in the town.
Hartlepool Borough Council’s Public Health Department is joining forces with Balance – the North East Regional Alcohol Office – to boost awareness of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a group of conditions that can occur in people whose mother’s drank alcohol while pregnant.
National FASD day takes place on September 9 – and council chiefs are keen to drive home a vital message by holding roadshow style event on the day.
Sharon Robson, Health Improvement Practitioner (Drugs & Alcohol) at Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “Children affected by FASD may show a variety of learning difficulties and behavioural problems. They may also have brain and nerve damage..” The message will be delivered at sites including Hartlepool Power Station and a number of children’s centres.