Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder action group
Sharman Stone March 24, 2011
Yesterday, in a bipartisan approach, Members and Senators formed a new group with the aim of eliminating FAS and FASD from Australia. We are one of the few developed nations still not taking this problem seriously; a problem which affects young Australians right through their lives in very serious and debilitating ways. This group aims to ensure that in the future there are warnings on alcohol product labelling. For further Information click here
Pregnant women in Central Australia could face ban on buying alcohol
The Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation of Australia is pushing legislation that will ban pregnant women from purchasing alcohol in the Northern Territory due to the high incidence of FAS in the region. Article, Xinhua News, April 9, 2011 For further information click here
Alcohol not good for baby
28 Apr, 2011 12:00 PM PREGNANT women are not receiving enough information from midwives and health professionals on the effects of alcohol consumption on their babies, a new research study claims. For further information click here
National Indigenous FASD Resource Project
The National Drug Research Institute has been contracted by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing to develop templates of resources to assist health professionals in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care settings to address the issues of alcohol and pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). For further information click here
Labelling
The Blewett Review – commissioned by federal, state and territory governments last year – has called for simpler “traffic light” labelling on food packaging, with red, orange or green dots to show how healthy it is. In response, BEER will carry warnings against drinking in pregnancy after brewing giant Lion Nathan bowed yesterday to a government overhaul of food labelling laws. For further information click here
Epigenetics
Prof Jablonka helps explain some of the thinking behind epigenetics which she calls “the Invisible threat”. Professor Jablonka of Tel Aviv University’s Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas explains: “ Epigenetic research suggests that the effects of stress and environmental pollution can be passed on to future generations without any obvious change or mutation in our DNA. For further information please click here
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Australian Perspectives Drug Action Week (DAW) 2011
The Drug Education Network has confirmed participation by Lorian Hayes; Sue Miers; Janet Hamill; Anne Russell and Vicki Russell for two events during DAW HOBART Thursday 23rd June 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Baha’I Learning Centre, http://www.tasbcl.com.au/ 1 Tasman Highway – Hobart – Tasmania DEVONPORT Friday 24th June 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Devonport Entertainment Centre, Rooke Street, Devonport This will be an opportunity to meet representatives of FASD prevention grassroots organisations from across Australia. Each registered participant is invited to submit a question concerning an area of interest. For further information click here
Local Story on FAS in Take 5 Magazine
An article, written by adoptive mother Lyndall Hall about her experience in raising a child affected by fetal alcohol exposure appeared in a recent edition of Take 5 magazine. Lyndall, Stephen and son Vincent are from Wynyard, Tasmania and his photo (with all permissions) along with many other individuals and families from around the world living with FASD appeared in a special video presentation shown at the 4th International FASD Conference in Vancouver
The AER Foundation’s Annual Alcohol Poll: Community Attitudes and Behaviours was recently launched at Parliament House in Canberra
The poll focuses on gauging Australians’ perceptions and awareness of alcohol-related issues, their drinking behaviours and assessing their level of support for a range of alcohol policy reform strategies. For further information click here
More Support for Students with Disabilities
The Australian Government believes that every child deserves a great education that meets their needs and allows them to reach their full educational potential. Through the More Support for Students with Disabilities initiative, the Government is providing $200 million in new funding to state and territory education authorities up until December 2013. This new funding will provide immediate benefits to students with disabilities and their families. For further information click here
A mixed-bag budget
The Federal Government has handed down a budget which pays lip service to people with disabilities but offers little helpful support, says Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent. For further information click here
Macklin backs crackdown on alcohol abuse in Northern Territory
Patricia Karvelas From: The Australian April 09, 2011 12:00AM Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin is willing to consider radical and increasingly expansive anti-alcohol laws and strategies in towns such as Alice Springs and other centres where the scourge of alcohol abuse is out of control, including a proposal being pushed for a “floor price” on all alcohol. For further information click here