Drinking while pregnant is a lot like playing Russian roulette with an unborn baby. Fetal alcohol syndrome
is on the riseClick. Click. Bang.
Life will never be quite the same.
Children with fetal alcohol syndrome -- the leading known cause of mental retardation -- are often born with severe health problems, growth deficiencies, central nervous system disorders, learning disabilities, physical malformation of the face and head, and an inability to anticipate the consequences of their actions.
Nowhere is fetal alcohol syndrome more obvious than in the classroom.
"There's more of it now than I've ever seen in the schools," said Vic Heintzman, a veteran fifth-grade teacher on the Big Island, who believes the problem is getting worse. "They want to mainstream special-education kids as much as possible today. It makes for more disruption in the classroom."
One study pegs the costs associated with treating the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome in the United States at about $1.6 billion. And that's not counting the toll in human suffering.
A 1996 Gallup study of 973 women in Hawaii of childbearing age revealed 30.5 percent used alcohol at least once a week in the past year. About half of those women were pregnant, said Elaine Wilson, head of the state Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.
The new student body president at the University of Hawaii-Manoa is hoping for a resurgence in student activism as the fall semester begins today. UH student head
wants more activismC. Mamo Kim said she wants to see students involved not only on campus but also in the community.
Kim -- among 10 students who successfully ran for office under a Hawaiian slate this spring -- said students statewide have the power as a voting block to influence politics and perhaps persuade lawmakers to end the "brain drain" that forces Hawaii's brightest college graduates to find jobs on the mainland.
"Students are really tired of working very hard and having to settle for a job with the state or the tourism industry," Kim said.
She said students may also take a stand in the debate over proposals to locate overhead power lines on Waahila Ridge.
Some 47,000 students are enrolled at the university's 10 campuses statewide.
With the recent dedication of Kahekili Highway, Windward motorists put the traffic problems of a two-year widening project behind them. Now a state effort to beautify the concrete noise wall along the highway may soon provide some aesthetic relief. Vine enlisted
to beautify 'noise wall'The state has begun an experiment to cover the mauka wall with a type of vine recommended by the Outdoor Circle, said Department of Transportation spokeswoman Marilyn Kali.
The concrete wall, ranging from 8 to 14 feet high, has been an irritation for area residents, who have described it as an eyesore.
After nearly two months, though, signs of plant life can be seen between Kahuhipa Street and Haiku Road, and Kulukeoe Street and Keaahala Road.
Transportation engineer Peri Manthos said the vines are doing well so far and, depending on their continued growth, more will planted.
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Police/Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffPolice yesterday charged a Waimanalo man, who allegedly threatened several people with a loaded handgun early Saturday morning at Sandy Beach and damaged two police cars while attempting to flee. Police pile charges
on Waimanalo manSolomon Martin, 18, of a Kumuula Street address is being held in lieu of $110,000 bail for attempted second-degree assault, three counts of first-degree terroristic threatening, two counts of first-degree criminal property damage and use of a firearm in commission of a felony.
Police responded to Sandy Beach at 2:20 a.m. Saturday after receiving a complaint about the suspect, who allegedly threatened a woman with a handgun during an argument. The suspect, who police said was drinking at the scene, allegedly fired a shot in the air.
He then allegedly stuck the gun into the abdomen of a 23-year-old man and pulled the trigger. The gun, however, did not fire. The suspect then shot off another round in the air.
As police arrived at the scene, Martin drove off with two other men. During a pursuit toward Waimanalo, he allegedly rammed two police cars. Police fired four rounds at Martin as he allegedly attempted to ram a third police vehicle. Martin was arrested. His two companions were released pending further investigation.
A 32-year-old Kalihi man was arrested yesterday at a Kaheka Street department store on a rape complaint filed by a 13-year-old girl. Kalihi man arrested
in rape of girl, 13The girl told police she was sexually assaulted by the suspect in the women's restroom at Daie Kaheka shortly before 2 p.m.
The girl identified the suspect, who was arrested outside the store. The Kaili Street resident was booked for first-degree sexual assault.
Other Police/Fire items:
Woman cut eight times fighting off robber
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