Fort Simpson (Feb 23/04) - Society needs to re-evaluate the way it deals with addictions like alcoholism before it can begin to address the issue of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).

"This is a much more complicated problem than one mother drinking," said Janet Christie, a lawyer and mother of a child with FASD.

"There is a system set up to profit from addictions and alcohol sales. The whole system needs to change."

Christie, who is from B.C. , was a speaker at a three day conference designed to raise awareness about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in Fort Simpson, Feb. 13.

FASD is an umbrella term that includes the clinical diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

The condition is caused by pre-natal exposure to alcohol and its symptoms can range from relatively minor behavioral problems to facial deformities and severe learning disorders.

The goal of the conference was to bring together educators, doctors, social workers, justice officials and other government employees to discuss ways of dealing with children and adults who have FASD, said organizer Jane Arychuk, who is a school principal from Fort Providence.

"FASD impacts so many lives," she said. "It's absolutely crucial that people understand the nature of the problem."

The gathering, which featured over 220 participants, was the first of its kind in the NWT, she said.

Arychuk hopes those who attended the three days of lectures and workshops will pass on what they learned when they return to their communities.

"This is just a starting point," she said.