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“I gave birth to a baby that weighed two pounds because I used. In recovery, they say alcohol is a drug, and I did drink with him. I lost that baby because I couldn't stop using because alcoholism is a disease.”
Sheila Gaskins

NOFAS Applauds Hit Television Series for Accurate Portrayal of Alcohol and Pregnancy

October 13 – The October 8th episode of the critically acclaimed NBC television comedy series, The Office, featured a scene where “Jim” announced during a toast to his fiancée “Pam” at their wedding rehearsal dinner that she is not drinking alcohol because she is pregnant. NOFAS commends NBC Universal and The Office for conveying the correct message to its millions of viewers about the importance of abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy.

NOFAS Vice President Kathy Mitchell emphasized the importance of broadcast portrayals of health messages, “The scene in last week’s episode reached millions of people with a much-needed focus on the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. It's a big boost to our efforts to have a popular, culturally-relevant TV show reinforce our message that alcohol and pregnancy don’t mix.”

“NOFAS often calls out individuals, programs and publications within the entertainment industry and the various forms of media for publishing or broadcasting inaccurate information about the risk of alcohol and pregnancy. It’s perhaps more important to praise the industry or a particular media outlet when they get it right. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and ER are examples of entertainment programs that have presented important information on the FASD issue through television dramas. In this case: Bravo to NBC and The Office,” added NOFAS President Tom Donaldson.

Copyright 2001-2004 National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome