News Release                           For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                  September 4, 2009

International FASD Awareness Day

Wednesday, September 9 is International FASD Awareness Day, a day to remember those affected by alcohol before they were born and a time to support women to have healthy pregnancies! On the ninth day of the ninth month, organizations and agencies across Canada plan events to raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The ninth day of the ninth month represents the nine months of pregnancy, nine months when the safest choice is no alcohol! Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the term used for the harms that can occur in a fetus when a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy. Alcohol can cause both birth defects and brain damage in the unborn baby.

A study conducted in the Grey Bruce area by Dr. Joey Gareri and others (2006) found that four percent of the babies studied were significantly exposed to alcohol while in the womb and at risk of developing FASD.    It is estimated that the cost to Canadian taxpayers for each individual affected by FASD is $14, 342 annually.

This month, the Grey Bruce FASD Community Mobilization Committee is partnering with the Bluewater District School Board, the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board and the Chippewas of Nawash Board of Education to launch the release of FASD lesson plans for grade 8 and grade 9 students. These lesson plans were developed for teachers, by teachers at the Avon-Maitland School Board in partnership with Rural Response for Healthy Children. This year, the Grey Bruce FASD Community Mobilization Committee is targeting youth in its campaign to increase awareness of the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy. The committee hopes to reach as many youth as possible, through this curriculum strategy. 

On FASDay, September 9, the Children’s Aid Society of Owen Sound and the County of Grey, will be hosting a FASD event. All are welcome to drop in at 1290 3^rd Ave. East, Owen Sound, from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m., for refreshments, networking, education, awareness and advocacy for those with FASD. This event will also feature winning entries from the FASD Poster Contest, held at Saugeen District Secondary School this past spring.  For more information on this FASD event, please contact Julie Lipsett, Director of Protection Services, 519-376-7893 ext. 260.

Also this fall, the FASD Community Mobilization Committee and the Human Services and Justice Coordination Committee of Grey Bruce are joining forces to offer a full day Conference on FASD and the Justice System - Connecting the Pieces...the Puzzle of FASD.   This event will be held on October 21st at the Stone Tree in Owen Sound. The day will host knowledgeable and experienced speakers that will share information about FASD, strategies that work, personal experience of a parent and individual living with the effects of FASD, and practical ways of bringing the issue of FASD to the attention of those in the justice system. We encourage all professionals who are involved with people with FASD and family members to attend. For more information contact the Grey Bruce CMHA office at 519-371-3642.

If you would like additional information on FASD or would like to learn more about local resources and supports for pregnant women, please call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Beth Karrow,

Public Health Nurse,

Family Health Team

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 2231