Statement from Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day and Month

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee has issued the following statement:

“September 9 is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day, part of the broader FASD Awareness Month. The theme this year is Uniting our Strengths: Finding Solutions Together, which serves as a reminder that FASD is more than just an individual issue, but an important focus for the whole community.

“FASD results from alcohol use during pregnancy and is a lifelong disability that can cause a variety of challenges to physical health, learning, attention, communication and social skills. More than 1.5 million Canadians are living with FASD, but it is often misunderstood or the diagnosis is unknown. There is no known safe amount of alcohol to consume at any stage during pregnancy. It is important that we support healthy pregnancies and discuss alcohol risks with friends and family. 

“Living with FASD can pose significant challenges but most people with FASD live full and meaningful lives if given the opportunity. Our government is committed to supporting the safety, health and wellbeing of Yukoners living with FASD.

“The Yukon FASD Action Plan guides our way forward in building a system that better supports families and caregivers, promotes awareness and prevention, enhances assessment and diagnosis and advances research and evaluation. The plan includes commitments to expand maternal and pre-natal community-delivered supports and addresses Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Actions. Specifically, the call to develop preventive programs that can be delivered in a culturally appropriate manner.

“Thank you to the FASD Interagency Advisory Committee and all involved health partners who were instrumental in creating this action plan and for the important work you do every day.

“I encourage all Yukoners to read the Yukon FASD Action Plan and learn more about our work to prevent FASD and support those living with the condition. We will continue to work alongside Yukon First Nations and community health partners to prevent FASD and ensure the Yukon’s FASD initiatives are appropriate, accessible and responsive to the needs of all Yukoners.”