For immediate release:
Aug. 30, 2005

Barrett chimes in with renewed call to ring out against Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Simcoe – One year after first issuing a suggestion to area churches, fire departments, municipalities and others to join in an awareness initiative on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett is ringing the bell again.

Barrett is once again encouraging those interested to ring bells at 9-am on the 9th day of the 9th month (September) as part of the FAS Bell Concordance – a united international reminder of the dangers of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Barrett threw his support behind the initiative following last year’s Legislature debate of Sandy’s Law – a private members’ bill brought forth by MPP Ernie Parsons that requires FAS signage in establishments that sell alcohol.

“In the past year MPP Ernie Parsons’ signage legislation has helped to spread awareness of FAS - I feel we in the House should accept this challenge and take this proposed legislation even further,” Barrett said. “Anyone can join in the bell concordance, whether it is individuals ringing old cow-bells at the side of the road, or fire departments, churches and others with access to bell towers.”

The FAS Bell Concordance got its start in 1999 thanks to an initiative of a group of parents and supporters belonging to FASworld.

For more information on how to get involved please contact the Simcoe Constituency office at 519-428-0446, or contact FASworld Canada at 416-465-7766.

FAS is the leading known cause of mental retardation and birth defects in the United States and Canada . When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her baby. The more she drinks, the more her baby is at risk.

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For more information please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: 519-428-0446, 416-325-8404 or 1-800-903-8629