November 21, 2003
The public will have better access to information on the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and supports available to those living with this disability, with the launch of a new website. The announcement was made today at a meeting of the ministers responsible for the Canada Northwest Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Partnership, being held in Winnipeg.
The site makes available a wide range of information on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which is a medically diagnosable disability describing a set of birth defects caused by using alcohol during pregnancy.
"Preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is imperative as it affects children and families in all of our jurisdictions," said Health Minister John T. Nilson of Saskatchewan. "The ministers of the Canada Northwest Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Partnership have made a shared commitment to work together to address the prevalence of this disability and provide the best possible support to families."
"We were pleased to take the lead in developing this website to improve access to FASD information as well at to spread the message that when you are pregnant, no alcohol is best," said Iris Evans, Alberta children's services minister.
"Any strategy to address FASD must involve the important work being done in communities, such as the introduction of mentors and other innovative approaches," said Jim Rondeau, minister responsible for Healthy Child Manitoba. "This website provides a venue for the exchange of promising practices being developed by our community partners."
The new website offers "single-window" access to the websites of the members of the partnership as well as to other websites with helpful information on FASD. The website also provides information on prevention, intervention and supports being implemented by the partnership members. The new website can be reached at:
The Canada Northwest Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Partnership is an alliance for the development and promotion of an inter-provincial/territorial approach on the prevention, intervention, care and support of people affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The partnership was founded in 1998 by Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In 1999, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut joined the group and B.C. became a member in 2001.
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