Alcohol and pregnancy debated locally

One of Derry’s leading alcohol advice agencies has spoken out about the prospect of criminalising women who drink during pregnancy.

The ‘Drink Think’ project has run several high profile campaigns advocating an alcohol free pregnancy however manager Joanne Smith says attention brought to the subject by a court case in England has added to the mixed messages many women experience.

A council in the North West of England is seeking criminal injuries compensation after a six-year-old girl was left with growth problems caused by her mother’s alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Joanne Smith, Manager of Drink Think said: “While it’s good that we’re talking about alcohol in pregnancy I don’t think criminalising women who have unknowingly harmed their baby is the answer. Here at Drink Think, we’ve always lobbied for a clearer message about alcohol in pregnancy, even the advice of the Chief Medical Officer is unclear on this. There’s a lot of misunderstanding around the issue and it’s very confusing for women who also feel under peer pressure to drink during pregnancy too.

“It’s good that the debate around the issue is happening because it’s getting people focussed but scaremongering is not helpful at all and talking about criminalising people when there’s often a lack of education and support around the issue. The message from Dink Think is clear, and it’s simply that an alcohol free pregnancy is the safest option.”