FASfacts and Western Cape Government partner in the fight against FAS

The Pregnant Women Mentoring Programme, run by Winelands-based NGO FASfacts, is working in partnership with the Western Cape Government to fight the spread of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in communities at risk.

Speaking at the FASfact’s Pregnant Women Mentoring Project Open Day, Western Cape Minister of Finance, Dr Ivan Meyer, said that as many as 6 million people in South Africa are irrevocably affected by exposure to alcohol in the womb.

“We need to tackle this problem if we wish to break the cycle of poverty in many of our communities. The Western Cape has in recent years doubled its spend to R98.9 million to combat Substance Abuse (including alcohol), Prevention and Rehabilitation” said Minister Meyer.

The provincial department of Social Development  works  closely with and funds 8 NGOs such as Foundation for Alcohol Related Research(FARR), FasFacts, and Early Years to help reduce and prevent the harm caused by FAS.

Minister Meyer said: “the FASfact’s Pregnant Women Mentoring Programme is a key partner in our fight to reduce the prevalence of FAS, improve education outcomes and overall health of citizens in the province”.

The Western Cape Government’s efforts include a multi-pronged approach to addressing the challenge, involving the Provincial Departments of Social Development, Health, Education, and a number of NGOs.