Northern Ontario pilot project aims to get MedicAlert bracelets for people with FASD

Northern Ontario is the testing ground for a new program for people living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

People can apply for a MedicAlert bracelet identifying them as having the brain condition.

This pilot project is being headed up by the North Shore Tribal Council and Anishnabek Police.

Constable Cindy Hourtovenko said if an officer knows someone has FASD, they're be able to handle them differently.

"Hopefully once they've had some education, they're going to understand to take some time with this individual," she said.

"Policing can be really fast paced and sometimes we have to learn to slow it down."

Sometimes people with fetal alcohol syndrome speaking with police have been known to confess to crimes they didn't commit.

While the program is being based on the north shore, the MedicAlert bracelets are available to anyone with FASD.

Read the FASD pilot project outline here.