The Lakeland is supporting an International initiative. Tuesday (Sept. 9) marks the 15th annual International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day. The Lakeland Centre for FASD is supporting the day by having barbeques at the Centre’s home office in Cold Lake, at the C2 in Bonnyville, in St. Paul and in Lac La Biche from 11 a.m until 1 p.m. 20 per cent (or 1 in every 5) of individuals born in the Lakeland is prenatally exposed to alcohol, but not each person is diagnosed with an FASD.
Mentor Supervisor at Lakeland Centre for FASD, Tracey Knowlton, says the Centre supports women to have non-alcohol or drug related pregnancy’s, in hopes of one day, having 100 per cent clean pregnancy’s. Knowlton adds the Centre does not judge women and offers additional resources to individuals with addictions.
Typically, those diagnosed with an FASD are involved in the justice system, encounter homelessness, high drug and alcohol use, have a hard time managing time and money, and struggle with making good decisions.