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Amia Burnette, Health and Physical Education Education Department Chairperson speaks to the students at Banneker High about the AADD's new Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness program. Photo/Special.

Banneker hosts pilot program aimed at alcohol awareness

Earlier this month, the Atlanta Alliance on Developmental Disabilities (AADD) introduced a new facet of its ongoing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Awareness Program: a nine-month education program at the high school level. The program is piloting at Banneker High School in College Park and could be rolled out to other schools next year. A kickoff celebration on Sept. 9 included the presentation of Governor Sonny Perdue’s proclamation of September 9, 2004, as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day.

Each year more than 40,000 babies are adversely affected by prenatal alcohol use. The one-of-a-kind course will educate more than 1,000 Banneker students through the school’s classes. The.The nine-month curriculum corresponds with the nine-month pregnancy period.

The program focuses on teaching students about the serious effects of drinking and substance abuse while pregnant, including developmental disabilities, which affect a child for the rest of his or her life.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no known “safe” amount of alcohol that can be consumed during pregnancy.

Local media personality and Banneker alumnus Akini Jeffrey, former producer of the Ryan Cameron Morning Show on WHTA 107.9 FM spoke about the need for high school students to take seriously the health concerns about drinking, and drinking while pregnant. Health care professionals from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sheltering Arms, and Georgia’s Division of Public Health were also on hand to kick off the program.

“This is the time to talk to teens,” said Martha Alexander, a health professional with the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects. “It’s effective because it’s encouraging them to tell others Ð their older sisters, relatives, or friends. This will be a great model for other programs throughout the area and the state,” she said, referring to AADD’s program-specific “RUN, TELL THAT!” logo and theme encouraging students to spread the word about FAS.

The program is the only one of its kind in the state to promote awareness about FAS at the high school level. In addition, it also targets both boys and girls instead of educating them in separate groups, which has been a traditional approach to health issues for many schools. Amia Burnette, Banneker’s health and physical education department chairperson, also said she plans to incorporate guest speakers from various health organizations into the program.

The FAS program at Banneker is the newest initiative in AADD’s efforts to create awareness about the prevention of developmental disabilities. AADD, which promotes advocacy for Atlanta-area individuals and families with developmental disabilities, has taken an ongoing proactive approach to promoting FAS awareness.

Offered throughout metro Atlanta, its three health and wellness programs, FAS Awareness and Education, AADDolescent Matters for middle schoolers, and Project Future for pregnant and parenting teens, have educated thousands of individuals Ð including students, social service providers, and healthcare professionals Ð on the dangers of FAS and the risks associated with drinking and drug abuse during pregnancy.

For nearly a half century AADD has been serving individuals and families with developmental disabilities by building communities of support, acceptance, and opportunity. The nonprofit organization will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2006.