QUOTABLE:
CHRISTOPHER KELLERMAN

"The neurological disorder caused by mothers drinking during pregnancy, although well hidden, is not a rare occurrence. In fact, one out of every hundred children is born with enough brain damage from prenatal alcohol exposure to cause problems that will interfere with the child's ability to function successfully in life. The neurological problems of these children include attention deficits, thought processing difficulties, memory deficits, poor impulse control, hyperactivity, poor judgment, and the ability to function at a level about half the child's chronological age. These children have trouble learning from the consequences of their behaviors; therefore repeated punishment is not an effective deterrent..

"It is said that a civilized society can be judged by how it treats its children. While we incarcerate and execute more of our young, we expand our prison system, while decreasing spending on education and prevention programs. If a major contributing factor to the problem of juvenile crime can be traced to brain damage caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, then the solution is clear. Prevention lies in providing intervention services and structured support systems for these children before they are led into a life of crime."

Christopher Kellerman, "Children Behind Bars,"
FAS"STAR website