Chairperson, last month saw the launch of a school's essay competition on Foetal Alcohol Syndrome known as Fas in Kimberley, Northern Cape. Northern Cape has the highest prevalence of Fas in the world, particularly in the town of De Aar. This has been intrinsically linked to the demise of the town's railway junction which caused 80% unemployment and created a depressing environment in which alcohol abuse has become common place. The ACDP commends Kimberley Hospital's Human Genetics Unit and the Northern Cape Health department for their work in sensitising young people to the dangers of alcohol to the unborn baby.
Fas is the most common preventable form of intellectual disability in the world and it is a serious health problem right here in our own country. Experts at the genetics unit say 900ml of wine or five cans of beer a week or 30 to 40 alcoholic drinks a month, which is one a day, could cause the syndrome to the mother's unborn child and even two or three drinks a week can cause serious damage. Specialist gynaecologists say it is advisable to stop drinking altogether once a woman discovers she is pregnant because no one can yet tell exactly how much is too much.
Horrific damage can be done, ranging from mild behavioural learning problems to physical and central nervous system abnormality, head and face malformation, growth retardation, organ malfunction and nervous system abnormalities. The most damage is likely to be done when high levels of alcohol are consumed, and habits are primarily entrenched where alcohol is most available. This is one of the reasons the ACDP is particularly concerned about the reported flood of liquor licences being granted in expectation of the 2010 World Cup.
Drunkenness is responsible for almost half of South Africa's road crashes. Thank you. [Interjections.] [Time expired.]