In November 1996, the Minister of Health, Eric Cline, announced that the Saskatchewan Government would fund a new province-wide initiative on FAS. This initiative focuses on the prevention of FAS and intervention with individuals and families affected by FAS. The program was developed and is being coordinated by the Prevention Institute.
The new initiative is designed to address the continuum of effects that result from alcohol consumption during pregnancy. A long-term multi-strategy approach that offers potential in changing behaviour is essential to reduce the incidence of FAS. Program initiatives will:
Program strategies will aim at increasing knowledge and understanding of the issue, influencing social attitudes, and providing initiatives targeted to high-risk groups. Most importantly, the program will offer avenues for action to assist people to change behaviour. The program will also strive to optimize the potential of children and families affected by FAS. Strategies will focus on activities that are culturally sensitive and which bring together local resources to support women, children and families at risk.
The strength of the program is that it will be community driven. Communities will be supported in identifying their varied and particular needs and will be assisted in addressing those needs. An essential component of the program will be consultation with key stakeholders, including families, community groups, Aboriginal communities, Health Districts, the departments of Health, Social Services, Justice, Education and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.
Strategies included in the program will address the need for a new preventive approach that will build on previous and on-going work.
The Saskatchewan Institute on Prevention of Handicaps, in consultation with its Medical Advisory Committee, identified FAS as a major program area in 1985. Since that time, it has developed and delivered prevention awareness information throughout the province, and increasingly, throughout Canada and other countries.
The FAS program has included a variety of activities aimed at increasing awareness and educating people about the causes and effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Activities have included the development of educational resources such as educational kits, brochures and videos; media activities such as public service announcements, articles, television and radio interviews; community education through displays, presentations, workshops, conferences and training by satellite; as well as research through a survey of physicians.
In March 1993, the Prevention Institute was instrumental in forming the Saskatchewan Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Coordinating Committee, a provincial interagency committee that assists in the coordination of prevention efforts in the province. Through the Prevention Institute, the committee initiated a provincial needs assessment and symposium in 1993. As a follow-up, a consultation was held in May 1994 which addressed the recommendations from the symposium. Sub-committees in the areas of Education, Justice, Health, Parents/Community, and Social Services were formed following the consultation.
The need for the new program initiatives was identified through the work that has already been done. Although successful in increasing awareness of FAS, these activities identified that gaps continue to exist in understanding and knowledge.
The new initiative will address the need for clear health promotion messages and community based programs and will provide new avenues through which communities can be reached. Through joint efforts it is hoped that this new initiative will assist in reducing the incidence of FAS in Saskatchewan and make a difference in the lives of children and families affected by FAS.
