July 21, 2000

FAS do’s and don’ts

VALERIE G. CONNELL
Nunatsiaq News

IQALUIT — A list of do’s and don’ts from Pauktuutit’s resource manual on fetal alcohol syndrome for how to help pregnant women stay away from alcohol.

Do’s

• Encourage and support them if they slip.

• Talk about it with them; they need someone to talk to.

• Encourage them to find non- drinking friends.

• Be part of a network of supportive people that aren’t drinking.

• Do things that are fun together, and laugh a lot.

• Recognize that people are different, and that every one has their own rate of recovery.

Don’ts

• Don’t every give up supporting your friend.

• Never shame them.

• If they slip, don’t be judgemental. Accept the reasons that they givefor slipping, even if it is hard for you to understand or accept. Never criticize those reasons.

• Never embarrass them

• Don’t reject them for not being "fun" if they don’t drink.

• Don’t put pressure on them to drink with you if you drink.

• Don’t withdraw from them because you drink and they don’t.