Founded by Dr. Ann Streissguth, the Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit (FADU) is a research unit dedicated since 1974 to the goals of studying fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) across the life span, disseminating research information, providing consultation for individuals affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol, and intervening with high-risk mothers to prevent future births of children with fetal alcohol and drug effects.
Our focus includes prevention and intervention projects on an individual and community basis and multidisciplinary clinical follow-up studies. FADU also provides staffing and curricula for trainings, workshops, invited lectures, and conferences on FAS/FASD prevention and intervention at the regional, national and international level.
Over the years, the Fetal Alcohol and Drug Unit has been staffed by a diverse group of individuals including faculty, professional and classified staff, postdoctoral fellows, undergraduate and graduate students, visiting scholars, and consultants who are dedicated to the prevention, intervention, and treatment of fetal alcohol and drug effects. In 2013, FADU joined the UW Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) to ally with other researchers examining substance use and use disorders, and in 2021, ADAI joined the UW Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences.
