How To Tell An Alcoholic

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29824, 17 May 1962, Page 12

How To Tell An Alcoholic

(New Zealana Press Association)

DUNEDIN. May 16

“Watch for the man who talks to you through the side of his mouth to disguise his breath." a pamphlet circulated by the National Society on Alcoholism warns employers It has been circulated to al) employers The pamphlet lists signs that the employer should watch for in his employees ‘‘Watch for the aroma of alcohol on the breath.” says the pamphlet. "But even more telling is the scent of breath cleansers"

It warns against the “sometimes moody” employee. the Monday morning absentee, and those whose

excuse® for absence or lateness are “off or improbable." “It is not the raucous drunk swaggering on the job who causes the problem Beware of the fellow whose hands tremble when be coneentrates.”

Employers are urged to watch their emp’"vees’ drinking habits. Those who drink taster than their colleagues and stay on after they leave are po’en’ia* alcoholics. the pamphlet warns. The pamolet. entitled “The Half-man In New Zealand’s Work Force,” as well as listing the symptoms, advises the employer that it is a wiser policy to rehabilitate the

preb'em drinker than to fire him

“He may be anybodv on your staff—a key executive, a labourer or a typist H ; s output is likely to be 50 per cent, below normal," the pamphlet states

“The boss sees the problem drinker as a good man who drinks too much now and then. His associates tend to cover up rather than get him into trouble” The pamphlet advises emplovers to learn the symptoms of excessive drinking and direct the sick person to competent guidance before the problem becomes insoluble.