Smoke Signals
November 1992
Page 4
ALCOHOL AND DRUG NEWS
The Damage Alcohol Can
Cause During Pregnancy
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is not healthy
for babies. It can cause mental and physical birth defects.
This disease is known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Babies
do not have to suffer from this disease because FAS is totally
preventable.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is caused by drinking
beer, wine, or hard liquor during pregnancy. When a
pregnant woman drinks, the alcohol she is consuming is
shared between her and her unborn child and that child
receives as much alcohol as the mother.
Babies born with FAS may have physical or mental
defects which will make leading a normal life difficult
These problems may include: metal retardation, malformed
facial and body features, low birth weight, deformed joints,
hyperactivity, heart defects, and poor coordination.
"There is no resource that is more
vital to the continued existence and
integrity of Indian Tribes than their
children."
1978 Indian Child Welfare Act
Drinking alcohol is harmful at all stages of pregnancy, but
especially during the first three months. This is a time of
uncertainty, because many women drink without knowing
they are pregnant. It is known that even light drinking can
cause damage to a fetus. But no safe level of drinking has
been found, and it is best not to drink at all during pregnancy.
If you think you are pregnant, or are planning a
pregnancy, don't drink. Give your child every chance for a
normal life. If you need help or assistance, call or write: The
Commission on Indian Services 454 State Capitol, Salem,
Oregon 973 10.
OTHER DRUGS
MARIJUANA
Pregnant women who smoke marijuana are
frequently at higher risk of experiencing stillbirth,
miscarriage, low birth weight baby, and fetal abnormalities.
They are five times as likely to have FAS features.. The
effects of marijuana are greatest towards the end of a
pregnancy.
COCAINE
Cocaine use has been linked to higher rated of
miscarriage, premature labor, prenatal stroke, retardation,
breathing disorders, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS). Infants born addicted to cocaine often experience
painful with drawl symptoms after birth. This is true for
babies whose mothers used heroin or other opiate-like
narcotics.
NICOTINE
Women who smoke while pregnant have higher
percentages of stillborn babies, low birth weight babies and
miscarriages. cuhtw
Children's Behavior Problems
Linked to Mother's Smoking
The results of a study on the relationship between
problem behavior in children and the smoking habits of their
mothers was recently published in the September issue of
Pediatrics, the publication of the American Academy of
Pediatrics. The study indicated that women who smoke at
least a pack a day have children with twice the rate of
extreme behavior problems such as anxiety, disobedience,
and conflict with others as compared with children of non
smokers. Head researcher, Dr. Michael Weitzman of the
University of Rochester School of Medicine in New York,
noted that though all children have some behavior problems
smokers' youngsters have more in the range of aberrant
behavior such as being antisocial, anxious, depressed,
headstrong, hyperactive, exhibiting exceptional immaturity,
and inability to get along with others.
"There's thousands of toxins in cigarette smoke,
anyone of which could affect behavior in children," Weitzman
said, and rivaled smoke exposure to other major stresses on
children including low birth weight, poverty, chronic illness,
parent's divorce, all of which are linked to elevated rates of
serious behavior problems.
The researchers sifted out effects of 16 traits that
might have skewed the results ranging from the child's sex,
birth weight, and health status to the mother's self-esteem
and use of alcohol during pregnancy.
(Brenda C. Coleman, The Oregonian)
Photo Exchange Offered
A photograph exchange has been established, and
is available to all tribal members. The purpose of the
program is to preserve tribal history through the sharing of
old familytribal photographs. Also, as a service, the
program will attempt to identify subjects in old photographs
through the efforts of Elders and other resourses within our
community. You need not share photos to obtain this
service.
Eventually, we hope to tell the history of Grand
Ronde through photographs selected from this exchange.
To encourage people to participate in this program, we will
not only trade NEGATIVES of the photos, but if your photo
is used in the historic display your name will accompany it
If you would like to participate in this exciting new
program, send your negative(s) along with a self-addressed
envelope to:
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
ATTENTION: Dean Azule
9615 Grand Ronde Rd.
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
If known, you should also include the date of the
picture, names of individual(s) in the photo, and other
information surrounding the event. In return, you will
receive a list of available photographs. From this list, you
may select one negative for each negative you mailed in.
You should receive your negatives in approximately 30
days. If you would like more information regarding the
Photo Exchange, contact June Olson at 1-800-422-0232.
Again, this is an exchange of negatives only. Do not send
your original photograph.
Children at Risk
The reasons why so many youngsters are at risk of
drug and alcohol addiction and abuse are myriad. Often they
relate to social stress factors such as the breakdown of a
family and the increasing proportion of children who are in
poverty. Birth rates among poor and minority families are
significantly higher than those among middle class, white
families.
The term "at risk students" is a broad one which has
been used in a variety of contexts and assigned a variety of
meanings. "At risk" can also apply to students in danger of
falling behind or dropping out of school, or youth susceptible
to social and economic problems.
FAMILY RISK FACTORS
Family history of alcoholismaddiction
Family management problems
Parental alcoholdrug use
SCHOOL RISK FACTORS
Early antisocial behavior or hyperactivity
Academic failure beginning in elementary school
Low commitments to school
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS
Economic and social deprivation
High levels of transition and mobility
Availability of drugs and alcohol
X PUMHO.nHOUQHT
IHfcf HM BAD HAIR,
OMWCIOTHE, BKq
war ere ahd
LOOKED HALF MARVED
VKNOUCUKTI. WHAT DID "TOO 1
f ( WW'S V
I WHAT THE I
I U5ER I
I LOOK
j L
NOVEMBER 12, 5:PM IS THE LAST DAY TO
CLAIM ALL 1ST SEASON ELK TAGS. ALL
UNCLAIMED TAGS WILL GO TO
ALTERNATES AFTER THIS DATE.
NOVEMBER 13 IS THE FINAL DAY TO TURN IN
DEERTAGS, OR REPORT YOUR KILL. CONTACT
KAREN LORD AT 879-5211 IF YOU HAVE A
QUESTION.
FAMILY MATHSCIENCE CLASS IS ON
NOVEMBER 3, 1992 FROM 5:30 TO6:30 ATTHE
TRIBAL COMMUNITY CENTER. CHILDREN
NEED TO BRING A PARENT TO THE CLASS.
Spirit Mountain Update
The Spirit Mountain Development Corporation
has been hard at work laying the foundation for what we feel
will be a successful business entity and will pave the way to
economic prosperity for the Tribe. We are currently putting
into place the policies (personnel, procurement, etc.) which
will act as guidelines in leading to our future success. Also,
we are inventorying different areas of business that could be
advantageous to the Tribe, and actively pursuing grants.
We feel confidant with the progress of the
corporation in the past few months and hope that you will,
too. We are still very interested in comments, questions,
ideas, or concerns that you have about Spirit Mountain
Corporation. Feel free to stop by and see us, or call Chris or
Tammy at 1-800422-0232.
FishWildlife Moving
ThetribalFishWildlifeDepartrnentwillbe moving
to the Forestry building, 26930 Salmon River Hwy,
Willamina, Oregon 97390 duringthe week of November 23.
If you need an elk or deer tag issued please call ahead to make
the necessary arrangements. Your patience and cooperation
during this time is appreciated.