News

SIMCOE, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015 September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month. FASDs are a group of conditions caused by drinking during pregnancy. One in every 100 babies born in Canada is affected by FASD.

These conditions can vary, and include physical problems and problems with behaviour and learning, including difficulties with memory, hyperactivity and poor reasoning and judgement skills. A large number of those in the criminal justice system are affected by FASD. There is no cure for FASD.  The only way to prevent FASD is to avoid alcohol during pregnancy.

Haldimand-Norfolk’s FASD Committee held a fundraising barbecue on September 4th, 2015 at the Simcoe Superstore to raise awareness of FASD and to launch the committee’s new poster campaign.  The poster was the winning entry in a contest that was held in the spring between parenting classes at Dunnville Secondary School and Cayuga Secondary School.  The winners were Kaelan Sullivan and Shanelle Edie, two students from Dunnville Secondary School.  The winning poster has been distributed throughout Haldimand and Norfolk counties to doctor’s offices and pharmacies.

For more information about FASD, please call the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit at 905-318-5367 or visit www.hnhu.org or www.fasdontario.ca

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Media Contact

Terri Hartwick

Public Health Nurse, Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit

905-318-5367 ext 3346

[email protected]