TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLISM

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27751, 31 August 1955, Page 8

TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLISM

“Serious Illness And A Social Disease” PLANS OF - ]DUNEDIN SOCIETY (New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 30. Alcoholism is a serious illness from every point of view; it is a social disease, said the Dean of the Dental School (Dr. J. P. Walsh) at a public meeting held by the newly-formed National Educational Society on Alcoholism last night. The problem of alcoholism and the need to help its victims were discussed by several speakers and a film showing the effects of alcohol on the human body was shown to a large audience. Addresses were given by the chairman of the society (Professor J. E. Caughey), the secretary (Mr H. C. Hartley) and by Dr. Walsh. From the observations made by the society’s committee it seemed the figure quoted by the World Health Organisation for the number of heavy drinkers and alcoholics in a community—s and 1 per cent.—was correct for New Zealand, although it was very difficult to obtain accurate figures, said Dr. Caughey. The need for a national society was quite obvious, he said. Some of the objects for which the society has been established are:— To increase public understanding of alcoholism, its nature, and treatment To promote public realisation that the alcoholic can be helped. To establish an information centre and make available to the community knowledge on alcoholism as a public or individual problem. To support a clinic and to promote better hospital facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of alcoholics. Dr. Caughey emphasised that the society was quite a separate body from Alcoholics Anonymous, but that it was complementary to it. It was stated that the Otago Hospital Board had agreed, in principle, to the establishment of a clime for alcoholics at the public hospital.