VOL VII, NO. 1 JANUARY 2013

BUILDING Compassionate COMMUNITIES

The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Society for British Columbia, Governing Body of the Asante Centre

Mark Your Calendars

Restorative Justice and Its Implications for

Community Webcast

January 18, 2013, 9:00—11:00 a.m.

FASD Learning Series, Alberta Centre for Child,

Family & Community Research

www.asantecentre.org

NeuroDevNet: FASD Research from the Lab to

the Community! Webinar

February 13, 2013, 8:00—9:00 a.m. PST

Canadian Association of Pediatric Health Centres

www.asantecentre.org

Aboriginal Communities and FASD Webcast

February 20, 2013, 9:00—11:00 a.m.

FASD Learning Series, Alberta Centre for Child,

Family & Community Research

www.asantecentre.org

The 5th International Conference on FASD

Research: Results and Relevance

February 27—March 2, 2013

The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver

www.interprofessional.ubc.ca

The Edmonton MILE: Pilot Project Webcast

March 20, 2013, 9:00—11:00 a.m.

FASD Learning Series, Alberta Centre for Child,

Family & Community Research

www.asantecentre.org

Consensus Development Conference on Legal

Issues of FASD

September 18—20, 2013

Delta Edmonton South Hotel and Conference Centre

www.fasdedmonton2013.ca

First International Conference on Prevention of

FASD

September 23—25, 2013

Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton

www.fasdedmonton2013.ca

103-22356 McIntosh Ave phone (604)467-7101

Maple Ridge, BC, V2X 3C1 fax (604)467-7102

www.asantecentre.org toll free 1-866-FAS-7101

If you would like to be removed from the newsletter mailing list, please contact the Asante Centre at newsletter@asantecentre.org.

More comings and goings!

Our friend and Colleague, Kristal Bodaly, will be taking a one-year maternity leave starting in February

2013. Kristal has been working as a speech-language pathologist at the Centre since 2005 and she will be

greatly missed while she is away! We are excited for her and wish her all the best in the coming year.

We are also happy to announce that Ivona Vujica will be joining the team at the Asante Centre in mid-

January as our new speech-language pathologist. Ivona will be providing therapy to many of our clients

for the duration of Kristal’s maternity leave. Welcome to the Centre, Ivona!

Dr. Asante Receives Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal!

On December 17, 2012, Dr. Asante was honoured to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee

Medal in an open-house celebration at the Asante Centre!

The inaugural award recognizes individuals who have improved the wellbeing of many in their

community, and marks Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ascension to the throne. Dr. Asante has

certainly accomplished this feat both through his dedication to children and families throughout his

pediatric practice and his passion for the prevention of and support for individuals living with Fetal

Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Dr. Asante worked as a pediatrician in northern BC and the Yukon for over 20 years, where he first

starting seeing children who were considered failure to thrive with no identifiable explanation. It was at

this time that a colleague forwarded Dr. Asante an article recently published out of Seattle (Jones and

Smith, 1973) discussing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).

Dr. Asante was instantly aware that alcohol had been a factor for many of the families he had been

working with, and started identifying children with the syndrome in his practice. Captured by the

preventative aspect of alcohol-related disabilities, FAS became a passion for Dr. Asante and he went on to

pursue the field throughout his career - including becoming the first in Canada to conduct research on the

effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. Through his experience he has recognized the spectrum of effects

captured within FASD, and the importance of having a multidisciplinary team to perform assessment and

diagnostic services. Dr. Asante became Medical Director of the Asante Centre, named in his honour,

when it opened in 2000 and continues to help set

diagnostic standards for FASD across Canada and spread

awareness of the disorder internationally.

The award was presented by Randy Kamp, Member of

Parliament for Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, and Mission,

in the midst of a large gathering of family, friends and

colleagues.

Randy Kamp, MP (left) and Dr. Kwadwo Ohene Asante (right) at

the award presentation. Photo by Maria Rantanen, courtesy of The

Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows TIMES, December 20, 2012. For

more information, see Rantanen’s full article at www.mrtimes.com/

health/recognizes+local+doctor+with+medal/7725310/story.html.

VOL VII, NO. 1 JANUARY 2013

The subject matter contained in this newsletter does not necessarily represent the opinions and ideas of the Asante Centre or the

FASD Society for BC. The Centre and the Society do not endorse or guarantee any information, products or services discussed, and

cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of its contents.

What can you do? Become a member of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Society for British Columbia (BC)!

Name/or Organization: ___________________________________________________ Your Charitable Donations are appreciated.

Mailing Address: _________________________________________________________ Donation (tax receipt provided): _____________________

Phone: _________________________________________________________________ Send cheque or money order to:

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Society for British Columbia (BC)

Email: _________________________________________________________________

or become a member on our website: www.asantecentre.org

Email: info@asantecentre.org

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

#103-22356 McIntosh Ave. phone: (604)467-7101

Maple Ridge, BC V2X 3C1 fax: (604)467-7102

www.asantecentre.org toll free: 1-866-FAS-7101

Maple Ridge Announces Alcohol-Related Bylaw!

The District of Maple Ridge has officially adopted the updated Business License Bylaw, including a section designed

to warn of the risks of consuming alcohol throughout pregnancy! The updated section of the bylaw aims to

create awareness for people living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and more specifically to support

families to abstain from alcohol throughout pregnancy. Through education on the risks of alcohol use during gestation, this common disability can be

prevented.

The key message of the bylaw states “Any chance you might be pregnant? Zero alcohol. No safe time. No safe amount.” The phrase reinforces the

importance of fully abstaining from alcohol throughout pregnancy, including social drinking patterns, as well as recognizing considerations around unplanned

pregnancies where a woman might be consuming alcohol before realizing her pregnancy. The campaign also highlights community resources offering more

information on the impacts of alcohol on the developing fetus and where to access support for addictions.

The above-mentioned section of the Bylaw has been developed by a sub-committee of the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Katzie Community Network called the

Substance Misuse Prevention Committee. Though a separate bylaw concerning the effects of alcohol use in pregnancy has been in effect since 1995, the

sub-committee has worked to update the language and visuals to meet current needs. The regulations are for the first time included in the Business License

Bylaw to encourage more consistent adherence. Establishments are obliged to adhere to

the new guidelines in order to maintain their business license.

The updated Bylaw requires that all establishments in the district of Maple Ridge that

serve or sell alcohol or alcohol-making supplies prominently display the approved

posters where the sale or dispensing of alcohol is made and in both male and female

washrooms, as well as the approved stickers be placed on all food and beverage menus

with alcohol options. The posters and stickers both capture the same message of zero

alcohol throughout pregnancy.

The bylaw is expected to draw awareness to this public concern. Maple Ridge is

recognized as a provincial leader in proactively addressing concerns around the misuse

of alcohol, and it is hoped that many other communities will adopt similar bylaw

updates.

Invitation for Newsletter Submissions Welcome to Ivona, Goodbye to Kristal

The Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society Shows Support of the Asante Centre!

The Asante Centre was privileged to receive a $2000.00 donation from the Ridge Meadows South Asian Cultural Society (RMSACS) to support our ongoing

work for children living with FASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other complex developmental disabilities as well as their families! The Society is

comprised of Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge residents of Indian, Pakistani or Sri Lankan descent who would like to contribute back to the communities in

which they live. Funds are raised through an annual golf tournament, as well as an annual gala featuring traditional South Asian cuisine and entertainment.

All proceeds from the highly anticipated signature events are shared with local agencies who are doing important work in the eyes of the Society. The Ridge

Meadows South Asian Cultural Society was formed in 2007, and has raised and donated over $70,000 to various local charities since its inception. The

Asante Centre was honoured to be considered for this year’s giving, and to be recognized

by the Society for the work we do with families. The 6th Annual Gala will be held on

February 9th, 2013, starting at 5:30 pm at the Ecra Centre in Maple Ridge. Tickets are

$95.00 each and can be purchased by calling 604-467-0898. All are welcome.

Photo (left to right): Allison Pooley, Program Director, Dr. K.O. Asante, Medical Director, Ed Gurm,

RMSACS and Royal LePage Brookside Realty, Rustam Yazdgerdian, RMSACS and Meadows Cleaners,

and Brian McKenzie, Business Director.