The Territory Labor Government is investing in generational change, today releasing the Territorys first Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Strategy to prevent and reduce its devastating impacts in our community.
To ensure Territory children have the best start in life we have to tackle this damaging and preventable disorder.
The NT Government is delivering a broad range of alcohol reforms to reduce the demand, supply and harm caused by alcohol across the NT. It is anticipated that these initiatives to promote health education and target alcohol misuse across the NT will help to reduce the levels of consumption and reduce the incidences of FASD in our community.
The Northern Territorys (NT) Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Strategy will prevent and reduce the impacts of FASD by:
- Prioritising the assessment of children in out of home care and in the juvenile justice system.
- Improving the ability of family and communities to respond to neurodevelopmental impairment.
- Supporting the establishment of multidisciplinary assessment clinics.
- Working in partnership with the Primary Health Network, Aboriginal Medical Service and the Aboriginal Community controlled health sector.
Broad community awareness campaigns, alcohol treatment for pregnant women and increasing access to reliable and affordable contraception are also key prevention strategies.
This comes after the Australian Government released its National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Strategic Action Plan 2018-2022 last week announcing an investment of $7.2 million to support activities that align with the priority areas of the plan.
Visit https://digitallibrary.health.nt.gov.au/prodjspui/handle/10137/7232 to view the full strategy.
As noted by the Minister for Health, Natasha Fyles:
Territorians have a right to live in safe communities, and thats why the Territory Labor Government has undertaken the most comprehensive alcohol reforms in the NTs history.
Tackling alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour, and the harms it causes remains the biggest social issue in the Territory
This is the Territorys first FASD Strategy to prevent and reduce its devastating effects in our community. The strategy is supported by the recent Riley Review, part of the Territory Labor Governments plan to deliver sweeping alcohol reforms for generational change.
