Recognizing Prenatal Drug Syndrome

The severity of prenatal exposure to stimulant drugs (crack, cocaine, methamphetamines, and others) is not being recognized by the government, schools, the medical establishment, or the justice system. Consequently, children and adults with the brain damage that results from such exposure are not receiving the help they need to manage their own lives successfully.
 
PDE believes that a strong education and lobbying effort must be undertaken so that victims of prenatal exposure get the help they need.

1. Prenatal drug exposure must be recognized as a syndrome with specific resultant behaviors and outcomes, Fetal Drug Syndrome, or FDS.
2. Fetal Drug Syndrome must be named as a handicapping condition requiring special interventions.
3. Public support must be mobilized for appropriate interventions in juvenile justice institutions and in schools, for without them, there is no improvement in the behaviors of those with FDS.