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ingly severe repercussions ranging from birth defects to neglect as a result of their parents‘ drug and alcohol abuse, according to recent G rowing numbers of children are suffering increasâ€" 375,000 babies are born annually in North America to women who abused ~ _ drugs and/or alcohol / _ while pregnant, according to a report in the publiâ€" cation Education World. Roughly, 200,000 of babies" whose RITTAL LTD. OAKVILLE, ONTARIO International Manufacturer of Hiâ€"Tech Products For Industrial Office Automation. Children suffer the consequences of parents‘ substance abuse 2816 Bristol Circle Oakville (905) 829â€"3400 Please Say "NO" To Drugs PROCOR PROCOR LIMITED 2001 SPEERS RD. OAKVILLE, ONT. L6J 5E1 mothers abuse the highly potent form of cocaine during pregnancy. Prenatal drug exposure has been linked to a range of adverse side effects, including low birth weight, small head size, neuroâ€"logical damage, and increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome, according to a report in American Family Physician. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) â€" a condition caused by prenatal drinking â€" now is recognized as the leading cause of mental retardation in North America. FAS also results in stunted growth, learning disabilities, and maladaptive behaviors, reports the Journal of American Medical Association. Studies also indicate that a growing number of cases of child abuse and neglect are the result of a parent‘s drinking or drug use. The National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse (NCPCA) in a New York Times story reported that in the early 1980s, 30% to 40% of reported cases of child abuse involved substance abuse, usually parental drinking. By the 1990s, more than 50% of those cases involved drugs or alcohol, frequently crack cocaine, the NCPCA reported. Child advocacy experts warn that children of alcoholics and addicts are overwhelming the nationwide fosterâ€"care system which, in recent years, has been shrinking. COMMERCIAL a# w Swift Sure Memorial Hospital Bringing Quality Care Community Spirit Together 327 Reynolds Street â€" 845â€"2571 Oakville, Ontario L6J 3L7 insurance brokers Itd. QD Carberry Davis g% 845â€"4201 FAX 845â€"1868 189 Lakeshore Rd. E. Oakville, Ont. Offering Complete Insurance Services Since 1903 CHANTRY BEAUTY SALON BRONTE PLAZA 2290 Lakeshore Rd. West 827â€"0489 C\ P\ y Young Drivers of Canada I@J Your licence to survive. Young Drivers not only teaches kids how to drive and survive. It also teaches parents that kids can handle themselves, and a car, responsibly. (905) 845â€"7200 ty PCL PLASTICS CORPORATION 2300 Speers Road Oakville, Onlarlo L6L 2X8 Worldwide Courier Oakvilleâ€"Trafalgar and Cargo Service 1â€"800â€"MOVESâ€"IT 125 CROSS AVE. ET IS POoSSIBLE: Bank of Montreal <SFaRTSMES SPORTDOMES OAKVILLE INC. 1333 North Service Road West Oakville, Ontario 847â€"3663 » | Peer Pressure $ 00 ; As A | Whisper vÂ¥66L °61 ounp ‘Aepuns ‘puayaap 19A29g 9|[IMEO â€" 1 Your schools, teachers, parents and students are fighting back. To ether we can vn) so that your ild can say “NO” without pressure. Your child can stand above the owd 9 Halton Board of Education The Irene McCaule Dave Whiti Chair T veChai; $ Clifford Byrnes Bob Williams or Director w OAKVILLE HYDRO HE\M(IDS' SAYS NO TO DRUGS Have A Safe Summer <SHOPPERS «S DRUC MART Oakville Place Ho edale Mall $42â€"3730 827â€"4 Oaktown Shogg)mg Plaza _ Upper Oaévdle Shoppmg (Open ‘til mldmght) 8423934 Or Support the Hs a. Oakville‘s Business School D.A.R.E. Supports Programme This Cause We train people | (SFARLE Computer Skills | 338â€"6600