Te Tai Tokerau FASD advocate Dave Hookway-Kopa (Te Whatu Ora Community Wellbeing Advisor), Selah Hart of Te Aka Whai Ora and others are quoted in this excellent pre-election article on alcohol harm and FASD in the Far North – written by Noél García.

Dave expresses his frustration at the marketing of alcohol (particularly to young women), pink-washing of alcoholic and other carcinogenic products – and touching on one of 2023's big election topics, he asks the question on everyone's lips: “Why are we talking about ram raids but not asking why might these kids be doing it?”

Dr Sam McBride, chair of Alcohol Action NZ, is quoted as saying 'the alcohol industry had “fought hard to stop the public knowing the full extent of harm from FASD with their long-term opposition to the placement of health warnings on beverage containers”.'

New Zealand Food Safety deputy-director general Vincent Arbuckle says, “Pregnant people and those supporting them need to be aware of the risk that alcohol presents for their unborn child, and the potentially life-changing consequences drinking while pregnant can have.”

And regarding the recent announcement from Te Aka Whai Ora of the $1.4M investment into FASD support in Aotearoa, Deputy CE of Public and Population Health Selah Hart says, it's 'unacceptable for whānau to continue bearing the brunt of FASD-related health challenges.'

Read the full article here.