Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Sep 05/05) - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder can be easily prevented by simply not drinking during pregnancy.

That's what Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Day - Sept. 9 - is geared to express, said Winnie Banfield, FASD specialist with the Nunavut government.

"If you are planning pregnancy, stop drinking," said Banfield. "If you find out you are pregnant, stop drinking. Brain damage occurs for the whole nine months of pregnancy so you will make a difference if you stop drinking at any time of your pregnancy."

Although no statistics exist on how many Nunavummiut have fetal alcohol syndrome, the problem is apparent. "The general feeling is that the numbers are high," said Banfield.

No numbers exist because there is no measurement tool available - yet.

"Identifying FASD is done through the many people involved in that person's life," said Banfield. "That could mean pediatricians, psychologists, nurses and even elders, school teachers, probation officers, friends and family members."