What about dads?

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse says alcohol-damaged sperm may contribute -- but not cause -- FAS and other alcohol-related birth defects. Local groups supporting FAS prevention initiatives declined to point fingers of blame towards men. However, many did say men, friends and family need to exercise a positive influence on a pregnant woman's drinking habits.

Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 16/01) - Men's roles in producing children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) have been overlooked long enough, say health professionals and women's groups.

The suggestion is timely given Health Canada committed $1.7 million to FAS projects across Canada last week.

FAS support There is no "one-stop shopping" rehab for women or families wanting help with preventing and dealing with FAS. The Living and Learning with FAS project is the only streamlined program addressing the problem via information packages and presentations. A Status of Women Council of the NWT report titled Women, substance abuse and FAS/FAE: An NWT Needs Assessment suggested community drug and alcohol programs are the most common form of help for women. Unfortunately, these services have been criticized for being short staffed and having a tendency to blame, not support, women. A 1998 journal article at the FAS office called What about dads? suggests alcohol use at the time of conception decreases the mobility of healthy sperm. The nine-point article also states heavy alcohol consumption during adolescence may permanently alter sperm and pregnant women are more likely to drink if their partners do. Source: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Community Issue, prepared by the Living and Learning with FAS project FAS patterns Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE): a pattern of birth defects found in babies exposed to alcohol while in the womb. The number of children and adults with FAS/FAE in the NWT is not known, partially because of the rigorous diagnostic testing, partly because parents, mothers especially, feel shame and guilt for contributing to their child's disability. FAS is 100 per cent preventable. Source: Women, Substance Abuse and FAS/FAE: A Needs Assessment by Status of Women Council of the NWT, 1996

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse in Ottawa is moving forward with biological and social studies into alcoholic men fathering children.

The research is less than six years old.

"This is a huge issue because we're dealing with adults who have the highest addiction rates in the NWT," said Arlene Hache, Yellowknife Women Centre's executive director.

"There is no doubt, men's responsibilities have gone largely (unchallenged). And it's not all their fault. Society, doctors and research have taken them out of the pregnancy equation."

The jury is out over a direct connection between sperm and FAS. What is known is men contribute to FAS and birth defects through damaged sperm (ie. damaged DNA) and alcohol-related problems like violence.

Furthermore, evidence suggests children born to alcoholic parents may inherit a genetic tendency to drink.

The Yellowknife Association for Community Living's project Living and Learning with FAS is advocating for a community-based support system -- one offering women non-drinking lifestyles supported by partners and family.

Project co-ordinators declined to point any fingers of blame, especially at men.

With portions of the $1.7 million up for grabs, executive director Lani Cooke, who also sits on the FAS Community Team board, knows money would be well spent in Yellowknife. Encouraging birth parents to seek the financial and emotional support available would be a good start.

"Far more foster parents and adoptive parents (of FAS children) seek help than birth parents," Cooke said.

"There is enough work in the field of FAS to keep a lot of us employed."

The territorial government is making small but notable in-roads. The GNWT Health Promotion section is launching a public awareness campaign with a focus on recovery.

Additionally, the group is piloting an Early Childhood Development screening tool.

Overall, the Northwest Territories' nationally above-average drinking rates remain an overriding problem, said Hache.

"The addiction is a symptom of a much bigger problem (residential school abuse, family violence, etc.)," she said.

"In many cases people are drinking so they don't have to remember or killing themselves because they do remember," Hache said.

For more information contact the Yellowknife Association for Community Living or the Health and Social Services department listed in the phone book.