Canada Considers 'Decriminalization' for FAS Offenders

Canadian policymakers are debating whether to divert offenders with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) to specialized treatment programs or even to exempt them from incarceration altogether, the Montreal Gazette reported Aug. 16.

The Canadian Bar Association (CBA) recently passed a resolution calling for crimes committed by people with FAS to effectively be decriminalized, saying such offenders need treatment and that incarceration is ineffective. “Judges see people before them repeatedly who are probably there in large measure because of a permanent organic brain injury,” said Rob Snow, the incoming president of the CBA.

Canadian Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said the question of how to handle offenders with FAS will be discussed at a meeting in October. “Obviously they have to get help one way or the other,” Nicholson said.