Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day
No alcohol during pregnancy #FASDAwarenessDay
Today is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Day. The day puts a spotlight on the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and the plight of families and individuals living with FASD. FASD is a disorder caused by maternal consumption of alcohol prior to a child’s birth. This spectrum of disorders can leave affected individuals with wide ranging and varied behavioural and cognitive problems that often see them end up in the justice system rather than the health system.
FASD is a significant issue effecting many families in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. A recent House of Representatives Standing committee report says Indigenous children fall through cracks of education system and later land in prison as FASD is misdiagnosed or not treated.
The report recommended all governments work to adopt a justice reinvestment strategy in predominantly Indigenous communities as a more effective way to keep people out of prison and reduce inter-generational alcohol abuse.
View more:
http://www.theguardian.com/…/foetal-alcohol-syndrome-should…
Online FASD Resources:
For more information on FASD check out this web resource by the Australian Indigenous Alcohol and Other Drugs Knowledge Centre
http://www.aodknowledgecentre.net.au/aodkc/alcohol/fasd
For more information on FASD or FASD Awareness Day, please visit:
http://www.nofasd.org.au/get-involved/international-fasd-awareness-day
Change the Record:
Join the #ChangeTheRecord campaign to call on Governments to adopt justice reinvestment strategies that tackle the root causes of imprisonment –www.changetherecord.org.au/pledge
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