Increasing Awareness and Understanding of Problematic Substance Use Reducing Alcohol-Related Harms Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Preventing the Problematic Use of Pharmaceuticals Addressing Enforcement Issues Sustaining Workforce Development Implementing a National Research Agenda and Facilitating Knowledge Transfer Improving the quality, accessibility and range of options to treat harmful substance use including substance use disorders (Treatment) Modernizing Legislative, Regulatory and Policy Frameworks Focusing on Children and Youth Reaching Out to Canada’s North Supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis People in Addressing Their Needs Responding to Offender-Related Issues Raising Public Awareness About Addictions: Creating Momentum for Action National Alcohol Policy Thematic Workshop National Thematic Workshop on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Preventing the Harmful Use of Psychotropic Pharmaceuticals National Thematic Workshop on Enforcement Police and Policing Partners: Supply Management and Demand Reduction Workforce Development Thematic Workshop National Thematic Workshop on Research National Thematic Workshop on Improving the Quality, Accessibility, and Range of Options to Treat Harmful Substance Use Including Substance Use Disorders (Treatment) National Thematic Workshop on Corrections National Symposium on Language
 
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Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

The use of alcohol during pregnancy has been shown to affect a developing fetus, causing a range of permanent neurological disabilities and behaviours disorders known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).  The leading form of preventable birth defects and developmental delays in North America, FASD is a complex, life-long disability and a public health and social issue affecting individuals, communities, families and society as a whole.  Without proper supports and interventions, individuals who suffer from FASD are at greater risk of disrupted school experiences, recurring employment problems, encounters with the criminal justice system and suicide attempts.  FASD not only affects an individual's quality of life but also has significant repercussions for their families, caregivers and communities.  Some individuals with FASD may require substantial community and family support to live independently.

Preventing FASD requires concerted action at all levels to address the underlying risk factors.  Current thinking suggests that this might best be achieved by: 

  • addressing the root causes of alcohol use in pregnancy; 
  • improving awareness of the effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy; 
  • enabling women to make informed decisions about their health and the health of their family; 
  • providing women-centered and culturally appropriate services; 
  • building an integrated system of supports and resources characterized by leadership; direction; partnership and collaboration to prevent FASD and to meet the needs of people living with FASD and their families; and 
  • enabling individuals with FASD, their families and communities to improve their lives using screening tools and interventions that are both gender and culture appropriate.

Update

The Public Health Agency of Canada published, the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD):  A Framework for Action in 2003.

Other steps to address this priority include a March, 2005 thematic workshop National Thematic Workshop on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) hosted by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and the Public Health Agency of Canada to:

  • identify and prioritize issues of national significance in FASD as they relate to the development of the alcohol portion of the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and Other Drugs and Substances;
  • identify areas for linking the National Framework on FASD with the National Framework fro Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with Alcohol and Other Drugs and Substances.