Dusty Johnson: “today I join Senators Dodd, Durbin, Coleman, Murkowski, and Murray to introduce the ``Advancing FASD Research…”

“today I join Senators Dodd, Durbin, Coleman, Murkowski, and Murray to introduce the ``Advancing FASD Research, Prevention, and Services Act of 2005.'' I thank them for joining me in introducing this legislation that will improve the surveillance, identification, and prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders or FASD. FASD affects 1 in 100 live births or as many as 40,000 infants each year. This illness affects more people than those impacted by spina bifida, down syndrome, and cerebral palsy combined. In my home State of South Dakota, approximately 31,777 individuals are suspected of having FASD. This statistic is alarming and it is for these reasons why I believe that this bill is so critical in helping fight this disease. During the course of my career, I have met and worked with people whose lives have been deeply affected by this preventable illness. For a person affected by FASD, there can be numerous medical, physical, educational, and financial implications, such as severe learning disabilities, physical abnormalities, costly medical bills, and behavioral impairments. According to the University of South Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences Center for Disabilities, the lifetime cost for an individual with FASD is over $2 million, and the special educational costs for South Dakota children with FASD can range from $3,781 to $17,056 per year.…”