Joint Message - Ministers Dosanjh and Bennett

International FASD Awareness Day

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a term which describes a range of disabilities caused by alcohol use during pregnancy, is one of the leading causes of developmental disability and birth defects among children. On September 9th - International FASD Awareness Day - we are pleased to recognize the ongoing work in Canada and worldwide to prevent and treat this disorder.

In 1999, the first International FASD Awareness Day was launched by a group of parents who felt a compelling need - based on their own experiences - to raise awareness of the life-long impact of alcohol use during pregnancy. Since then, Awareness Days have grown to encompass volunteer organizations around the world. FASWorld, which originated the Awareness Day, is now an international alliance of parents and professionals. Today, these volunteers help to organize International FASD Awareness Day every September 9th. Their awareness events serve as a reminder of the ongoing need to take preventive action and to improve outcomes for those already affected, as well as their parents and care-givers.

Over the past five years, the Government of Canada has continued to show its commitment to addressing FASD through collaboration with provinces, territories, communities and professionals who work with those affected by FASD. These combined efforts - like the National Advisory Committee on FASD, Health Canada's FASD Initiative and the First Nations and Inuit FASD Program - have resulted in a raised awareness and have encouraged the planning and development of effective programs, interventions and research.

We know that there is still much work to accomplish, and that no single government department or ministry, community, organization or professional group can do this alone. Progress can only be made through collaboration.

As Minister of Health and Minister of State for Public Health, we applaud the ongoing work of FASWorld, and encourage all Canadians to seek out, participate in and support FASD activities.