ALCOHOLISM COURSE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30156, 13 June 1963, Page 14

ALCOHOLISM COURSE

Introduction To Schools

(N.Z. Press Association) • DUNEDIN. June 12. A short course •on alcoholism has been introduced into nearly all the major post-primary schools in Dunedin during the last year Mr W S. Gilkison. chairman of the Otago branch of the National Society on Alcoholism has described this as an exciting and important break-through.

The scheme was developed by the secretary. Mr G. Brewster. He persuaded one school that it would be possible to run a course of three lectures covering various aspects of alcoholism—the medical aspect, the recovery aspect, the part of Alcoholics Anonymous and so on. The course introduced was a tremendous success and caused a large interest among pupils. Mr Gilkison said. It was so successful that it was repeated immediately at various other schools. “The effect of this work will be long lasting,” Mr Gilkison said.

Tlie annual report of the branch says that during the year the secretary addressed 40 meetings attended by about 2300 people. These included pupils from nine post-primary schools. the School of Physical Education and the Dunedin Teachers’ College.