This research article explores how individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) come into contact with the criminal legal system (CLS) and what support needs are associated with that involvement. Using data from the Canadian National FASD Database, the study compares the experiences of people with FASD who have had CLS involvement to those who have not. The findings show that individuals with CLS contact tend to have more complex needs—such as mental health challenges, substance use issues, and difficulties with adaptive functioning. These individuals were also more likely to have experienced trauma, school suspensions or expulsions, and unmet physical and safety needs. The study highlights the importance of early diagnosis, accessible services, and coordinated, FASD-informed supports that can prevent CLS involvement and promote healthier outcomes.
Key Takeaways for Alberta’s FASD Networks
- Prioritize early intervention: Strengthen screening and referral pathways to support earlier diagnosis and reduce long-term risks.
- Build cross-sector partnerships: Collaborate with justice, housing, mental health, and education to provide wraparound, FASD-informed supports.
- Focus on key transitions: Ensure services support individuals through life changes, especially from adolescence into adulthood.
- Address unmet basic needs: Partner with community services to respond to safety, housing, and daily living challenges.
- Use data to inform planning: Apply local and provincial data to identify gaps, measure impact, and guide programming.
- Shift the narrative: Continue to reduce stigma by framing justice involvement as a result of unmet needs—not personal failure.