Ontario is testing ground for a new program for people living with FASD reports cbcnews. Police and EMS personnel will be trained to look for MedicAlert bracelets and how to handle those with FASD. This is an amazing project and hopefully Alberta will implement it for our population with FASD.
Northern Ontario is the testing ground for a new program for people living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
People can apply for a MedicAlert bracelet identifying them as having the brain condition.
This pilot project is being headed up by the North Shore Tribal Council and Anishnabek Police.
Constable Cindy Hourtovenko said if an officer knows someone has FASD, they’re be able to handle them differently.
“Hopefully once they’ve had some education, they’re going to understand to take some time with this individual,” she said.
“Policing can be really fast paced and sometimes we have to learn to slow it down.”
Sometimes people with fetal alcohol syndrome speaking with police have been known to confess to crimes they didn’t commit.
While the program is being based on the north shore, the MedicAlert bracelets are available to anyone with FASD.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Edmonton and Area Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Network.
Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/medicalert-bracelet-fasd-1.3322528
This is so forward thinking that should be coupled with training for the officers on how to respond.
I would like to share this information on my Facebook Page – 4children.ca – please advise – Thanks – CC
@cc please go ahead and share on your page. Please feel free to share , repost, or forward any content on all our sites.
Thank you – CC
I wish we had something like this in the USA. Bravo for this much needed resource for our FASD kiddos.