Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder signage required at all Alberta liquor stores
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If you're pregnant, don't drink alcohol — it's that simple.
The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) echoed the same sentiment as they announced on Monday all liquor stores, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs will be required to post Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) prevention signage.
"We want to remind all Albertans who choose to drink that pregnancy and alcohol don't mix," said Bill Robinson, president and CEO of the AGLC.
The effects of FASD can be subtle and differ from person to person. Effects, which are lifelong, can include speech and vision impairment, comprehension difficulties, physical malformation, learning disorders, and growth deficiencies, to name a few.
Health Canada estimates that nine babies in every 1,000 are born with FASD, with conservative estimates saying 450 Albertan children are born with FASD, every year.
"While there may be many unknowns about the condition, we do know that FASD is 100% preventable if the consumption of alcohol is avoided during pregnancy," said Robinson, at the Chateau Louis Liquor Store, 11727 Kingsway NW. "This is why it is so crucial to have a constant reminders in environments like this where liquor is sold or served."
Minister of Service Alberta, Manmeet Bhullar was on hand to voice his support for the program.
"It's (FASD) so very preventable, but if we don't prevent it it leads to people having a lifetime of challenges," said Bhullar.
"Alberta has taken a strong response to this," said Bhullar, citing the province runs 12 FASD service networks and over 20 FASD assessment and diagnostic clinics. "Whatever we can do to prevent it, we must do."
However, Denise Plesuck, co-chair Edmonton Fetal Alcohol Network Society, says the number of clinics in Alberta is not enough, and the number of Albertans truly affected by FASD is not easy to determine.
"One of the big problems is that there aren't a whole lot of clinics available for assessment, so there area a lot of people in the community that actually have a diagnosis that probably don't even know they have FASD," said Denise Plesuck, co-chair Edmonton Fetal Alcohol Network Society. "It's a spectrum. So there may be people who can function fairly well and then on the other end of the spectrum there are people who have a really hard time and a lot of difficulties throughout life.
"Trying to pin down exactly how many people in Alberta, or Canada or even the world, is quite a challenge."
The signs can be found at over 7,000 liquor licensees across the province.
For more information about FASD, visit edmontonfetalalcoholnetwork.org.
