Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 30/01) - Francene Ross says hiring a regional co-ordinator is a necessary step for dealing with the issue of fetal alcohol syndrome.

Ross is a special projects health promotion employee for the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and a member of the Inuvik FAS Committee. She has started to look into sources of funding for a co-ordinator, but plans to avoid going to the government.

"If we had a co-ordinator we could have a resource centre, where people could get information, could get strategies, techniques to work with for FAS people," Ross said.

"It would also be a place for referral."

Ross said dealing with FAS includes training for those who interact with affected children.

"Training is currently foremost. That's like top of the list, so we're all working from the same page. From there there's different things we can offer, like early intervention for pre-schools. We can do support programs for parents."

Ross said those affected by FAS tend to be impulsive and are more likely to abuse substances and get in trouble with the law.

An FAS workshop was to take place last week at Ingamo Hall as part of National Addictions Awareness Week activities. The workshop was postponed, however, due to poor turnout, and will take place at a later date.

Ross said the workshop's purpose was to get comments from people on the FAS issue, and the types of services and programs they want to see offered. She said society must get past the stigma associated with FAS.

"It comes back to not blaming the mother," Ross said. "We've spent years pointing fingers."