The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder occurs in children when a woman consumes alcohol during her pregnancy and can lead to a number of developmental disabilities that remain throughout one's lifetime. In an effort to educate Saskatchewan citizens about this preventable cognitive disease, September 9 was declared Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day in 2002 as a result of a Private Members' Bill I was honoured to introduce in the Legislature. This particular day was chosen as it carries the significance of being the ninth day of the ninth month ? most pregnancies last nine months. On September 9 at 9:09 a.m., church bells will ring across Saskatchewan followed by a moment of silence in an effort to increase awareness of FASD and to remember the hundreds of children born in Saskatchewan each year who will face a lifetime of disability through no fault of their own. According to the Saskatchewan Institute for the Prevention of Handicaps, approximately one in 100 babies born in the province suffers from one of the spectrum disorders. The incidence in Saskatchewan is particularly high, especially considering that nation-wide nine out of every 1,000 babies are born with FASD. Drinking during pregnancy can commit a child to a lifetime of mental health problems, drug and alcohol abuse, disruption of learning at school, trouble with the law, victimization, inappropriate sexual behaviour, difficulty attaining employment and living independently, as well as the inability to be aware of the consequences of one's actions. Although children with FASD are affected to different degrees, all of them suffer from learning disabilities and behavioural problems that are 100 per cent preventable. FASD not only affects the lives of children, but places significant stress on their families, caregivers and communities. While prevention of this disease is a priority, so is diagnosis. In Saskatchewan, there is no specific diagnostic centre for FASD. In fact, many young people are often diagnosed in the courts when they get in trouble with the law, or misdiagnosed with attention deficit disorder. If not diagnosed early, those with FASD could cost the province between $1.2 million and $5 million in additional health, social services, justice and education costs over the course of their lifetimes.
