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Wilma P. Mankiller clinic director Darrel O'Field accepts NOFAS posters to be hung in the clinic.Wilma P. Mankiller clinic director Darrel O'Field accepts NOFAS posters to be hung in the clinic.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation recently joined efforts to launch a campaign to bring awareness to the effects of alcohol abuse in expectant mothers.

The Jack Brown Center (JBC), an adolescent treatment center, was awarded a grant from the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) for educational materials to be developed and distributed out into the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county jurisdictional area.

“We hope to raise awareness on the symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome,” said Mike Fisher, regional treatment center director for JBC. “This is a 100% preventable birth defect that can be avoided completely by the mother choosing not to consume alcohol during pregnancy.”

An art contest was held last year to help develop the media materials. The contest was open to anyone residing within the Cherokee Nation’s 14-county area and consisted of four separate age categories.

The winners had their artwork placed onto posters and brochures to help bring awareness to fetal alcohol syndrome.

The artwork was chosen by NOFAS representatives with final overall awards going to Taleah Stand and Dallas Thompson.

“Their artwork, through these posters and brochures, will not only be seen at each of our clinics, but also the entire Oklahoma City Indian Health Service area,” Fisher said. “NOFAS will also distribute materials nationwide through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) out of Atlanta.”

Framed sets of each poster will be presented to each clinic within the 14-counties beginning this month.

For more information on fetal alcohol syndrome, log onto NOFAS or call the Jack Brown Center, phone: 918-453-5500.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org