Organisation Urges Help For Alcoholics

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28414, 22 October 1957, Page 12

Organisation Urges Help For Alcoholics

“The disease of alcoholism in the community warrants serious consideration not only as a civic problem, but as a national problem,” said the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr R. M. Macfarlane. M.P.) to a public meeting of the Christchurch branch of the National Society on Alcoholism last evening. The meeting, attended by more than 200 persons, was held in the Civic Theatre. “The society is not concerned in a wet versus dry controversy,” said Mr H. C. Hartley, of Dunedin, a member of the national executive. ‘‘We feel that there are only two classes who should not drink —adolescents and alcoholics. “What we do wish to do. is to break down the wall of prejudice surrounding the disease. There are three concepts involved in the problem—the alcoholic is a sick man and is suffering from an illness; the alcoholic can be helped and can become a valuable asset to the community; and alcoholism is a major public health problem. It is estimated there are about 15,000 alcoholics in New Zealand.” Rehabilitated alcoholics make better than average citizens and, having conquered the disease, are able to conquer other problems, he said.

Lack of Respectability Alcoholism was one of the greatest unsolved problems of our time, said the national president of the society. Dr. J. E. Caughey, associate professor of neurology at Otago University. It lacked the air of respectability associated with tuberculosis, cancer, or poliomyelitis.

‘‘Only 20 per cent, of all alcoholics ever appear in court and hospital statistics and the remaining 80 per cent, remain shielded from the chance of treatment through the fear of public stigma. From calculations based on the death rate from alcoholic cirrhosis, it is estimated that in 1954 there were 11.600 alcoholics in New Zealand and a further 4000 to 6000 whose drinking poses a problem to themselves and to the community. “At least 50 per cent. of alcoholics who present themselves for treatment can be cured. That is. provided they have the desire to give up drinking.

“Alcoholism is a progressive disease similar to any other drug addiction and ends in death, suicide or mental treatment,” said Dr. Caughey.

Approximately 150 alcoholics in New Zealand had no home and slept out in the open in summer and depended on the Salvation Army and other organisations for shelter in the winter. These men might be in constant difficulty with the police and were frequently admitted to hospitals, he said.

“Throughout New Zealand, 150 or more men are charged in the courts daily on charges of drunkenness. The sequence, convicted and discharged, imprisonment or Roto Roa. is an ineffective and useless procedure. “The society aims to create increased public understanding of the disease; to promote better facilities for the care of alcoholics in hospitals and to establish clinics; and to set up information centres where persons confronted with the problem may seek and obtain advice. The information centre in Christchurch is attached to the outpatients’ department of the Public Hospital.” The medical profession was tak-

ing a greater interest in the problem. Dr. Caughey said. Courses for doctors were being held. The churches were making a new approach to the problem. Government departments and hospitals were undertaking research into alcoholism and providing facilities. The work of Alcoholics Anonymous was increasing tremendously and assisting the work of the society. The Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan), chairman of the Christchurch committee. described the setting up of the local branch and urged public support for the committee. The national treasurer of the society, Mr W. S. Gilkison, of Dunedin, spoke of the financial basis of the society and urged Government financial assistance. A short film prepared by the World Health Organisation of the United Nations dealing with alcoholism was shown to the meeting. The meeting endorsed the election of the local committee and gave it pow’er to act. Members of the committee are:—

Chairman, the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan); committee, Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., Drs. Sheila Hurrell, F. O. Bennett, R. C. S. I Dick, E. R. Reilly, Inspector C. IH. Riordan, and Messrs W. Crosssan. D. Barrett, and D. S. Aitken. After the meeting, many enquiries were received from interested persons and financial assistance was promised. An anonymous gift of 100 guineas was received by the committee.