Yukon to Host Follow-Up FASD Conference

FOR RELEASE #08-234
September 26, 2008

WHITEHORSE – The Department of Justice will host a Yukon roundtable on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) this October, Justice Minister Marian C. Horne announced today.The October meeting will act as a follow-up to the recent national FASD conference, The Path to Justice: Access to Justice for Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, hosted in Whitehorse earlier this month.

“This next meeting will allow Yukon participants of the national conference to continue the progress that was achieved with our partners in other jurisdictions,” Horne said. “How the Justice system is able to approach FASD is a very important issue, one that I take very seriously.”

During September’s national conference, over 140 government and non-government stakeholders met over two days to discuss the issue of FASD in the Justice system.

“The openness and willingness of all participants, including those in the justice, health and education fields who shared their experiences, successes and challenges, led to an unparalleled level of dialogue about this very important issue,” Horne said.

Minister Horne has committed to bringing this issue forward for discussion at the next Federal Provincial and Territorial Minister’s of Justice meeting.

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Contact:

Matthew Grant
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7961
matthew.grant@gov.yk.ca

Natasha Phillips
Policy & Communications, Justice
867-667-5964
natasha.phillips@gov.yk.ca