Yukon FASD study prompts calls for ‘system-wide change’
Seen in about 1% of overall population, FASD diagnosed in 17.5% involved in Yukon justice system
By Philippe Morin, CBC News
A study in Yukon is showing the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) within the criminal justice system.
The condition affects an estimated 1 per cent of children in Canada, but new research shows the percentage of people within Yukon’s justice system with FASD is 17.5 per cent, or about one in six.
A Yukon government study examined people at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre either serving sentences or on remand as well as people under Community Supervision Orders.
Dr. Kaitlyn McLachlan was the study’s lead investigator. She works with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University.
The new research ‘puts Yukon in a position to consider system-wide change,’ said lead investigator Kaitlyn McLachan of McMaster University. (McMaster University)
“That tells us, a sizeable proportion of people in criminal…
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