By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Getting the Message out – No Amount of Alcohol is Safe when you are Pregnant

Sep 9, 2016 | 2:47 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The South Alberta FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) Service Network partners visited selected local businesses that serve or sell alcohol on September 9th to mark International FASD Awareness Day.

The purpose of the visit is to provide their staff with post cards, which will be displayed explaining the importance of September 9th; additionally, coasters with “messaging of awareness and prevention of FASD” will be provided when serving beverages.

In partnership with Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge, the South Alberta FASD Network will also be in attendance during the second week of September to support “responsible alcohol consumption” and enhance awareness of the prevention of FASD with the students.

International FASD Awareness Day, held each year on the 9th day of the 9th month, is a reminder that women should abstain from using alcohol during the 9 months of pregnancy.

The South Alberta FASD Service Network decided to take a different approach to getting out its message this year.

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Previously, they would meet at the Westminister United Church with local dignitaries and MLA’s.  However, South Alberta FASD Service Network Coordinator, Debbie Deak, explained the limitations of that approach.

“We found that doing that over the years that we weren’t reaching the population that we wish to reach out to in terms of prevention and awareness. We were really attracting the individuals that were caregivers for FASD, and community members who strongly supported our committee.”

“This year we took a different approach –  the coasters are made to look attractive to young people; they show pictures of people partying. The University and Lethbridge College will include the items in their student packages.”

Deak was surprise to learn some of the local drinking establishments have requested 500 or more coasters and some have said that they would use them all year long.

“We’ve been overwhelmed we have sent out 5000 coasters.”

According to Deak, the message is not exclusively directed at women.”

“We know that a woman’s partner influences the decisions that she makes when she is pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. Men are very influential in their drinking habits in what a woman chooses to do. Many partners reduce or eliminate their consumption when their partner is pregnant or at the very minimum support their partner in not consuming alcohol when pregnant and are aware of the risk.”

“We know that 50 per-cent of the pregnancies in Canada are not planned, having said that if you are drinking we encourage you to drink responsibly and use effective contraception,” noted Deak.

Deak says the impact of FASD can be significant, “It is a spectrum disorder so individuals can be mildly, moderately or severely impacted, and required support can range from manageable to needing great support throughout their whole life or just everyday living skills.”

 “WE are seeing an increase in the demand for support system. There are more people accessing and being diagnosed who are eligible for the support systems. The systems in place are maxed out and are already in partnership with other community resources.”

FASD impacts many sectors of society, with lifetime support costs ranging from $1 Million to $3 Million for each individual living with the disorder.

According to the Institute of Health Economics, approximately 46,000 Albertans are living with FASD.