Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
For Joan MacGillivray, it’s all about promoting healthy minds and healthy babies.
MacGillivray, the community action coordinator and children who witness abuse counsellor for Nechako Valley, saw a need to help pregnant women and their unborn babies by raising awareness regarding fetal alcohol syndrome.
“And so the Think Before you Drink initiative came to be,” MacGillivray said.”
The Early Child Development of Fort St James provided funds from Success by 6 and Children First grants to provide funding to implement coin operated pregnancy testers and free condoms collaborated with Macgillivray, Community Action Program for Children (CAPC) Fetal Alcohol and Drug Effects Resources (FADER) the Coalition from Nechako Valley Community Services.
The machines were installed in the women’s bathroom at Petro Canada Gas Station. The owner of North Arm Pub will also be providing free non-alcoholic drinks for pregnant women as she sees the impact that FASD has on the community according to MacGillivray.
“This is part of an ongoing program. There was a similar one put in place in the Yukon but this is the first one of its kind here in B.C.,”MacGillivray said.
“Statistics are high and there is an obvious need to raise awareness of the risks associated with drinking alcohol while pregnant.”
The goal of having coin operated pregnancy testers available in public bathrooms is to create a timely reminder to have women test for pregnancy before they drink alcohol. It also encourages women to practice safe sex by having free condoms available.
“The whole idea of this initiative is to make women aware and to have regular pregnancy tests,” MacGillivray said.
“We’ve already gone through 200 condoms in three weeks so there is an obvious need.”
“Also, by having pregnancy test kits more accessible, this can empower women to make responsible choices in the earliest stage of fetal development. We encourage women to ‘Think before you drink’ – to consider whether they could be pregnant when making the decision to consume alcohol,” MacGillivray said.
“It can sometimes be scary to learn that you are pregnant so offering a discreet vending machine in the women’s washroom will help women learn if they are pregnant earlier and also learn about available supports including birth control methods to prevent pregnancy.”
Facts regarding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder according to FasWorld: