Proof Alliance North Carolina began as a small task force in the early 1980s, charged with the identification and prevention of problems associated with prenatal drug and alcohol exposure to This effort eventually became the Fetal Alcohol and Drug Program and was housed in the Department of Pediatrics, Section on Genetics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Prenatal alcohol exposure is the leading preventable cause of birth defects in the United States; alcohol use during pregnancy can impact fetal development and cause irreversible birth defects and brain injury. Children with prenatal alcohol exposure are at risk of having fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD is not a diagnosis but rather an umbrella term describing the range of birth defects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. FASD can be prevented by not drinking any alcohol – including wine, wine coolers, beer, mixed drinks/cocktails, or hard liquor – during pregnancy. If you want support to quit drinking, speak to your health care provider. You can learn more about support and treatment options here. Funding in whole or in part and/or supported by the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (CFDA # 93.959).