‘Drunken So-and-so May Be Sick Man’

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30288, 14 November 1963, Page 9

‘Drunken So-and-so May Be Sick Man ’

BRISBANE, Queensland police have been told to be nice to people they arrest on charges of drunkenness. “Remember that anger, lectures or scoldings, for the most part, only tend to drive the alcoholic more towards drink, says a police handbook for all members of the Queensland force. As a result of the proposed “new deal” for drunks, those arrested may find themselves being led gently to a clinic instead of being bundled into a “Black Maria.” Or they may be taken for a quitet chat with a minister of religion. The handbook says:— “When you see a person behaving oddly, or lying unconscious in the street, instead of thinking ‘there goes another drunken so-and-so’ the police officer should think ‘there is a sick man in an emergency state and I’ll have to do something about it.’ ” Officers are advised only to “read the Riot Act” to a drunk if absolutely necessary. “Remember, the alcoholic has a reputation for a lack of co-operation, and he requires a different kind of approach —one which demands a great deal of patience and fortitude on the part of the police officer. . . .” The booklet deals with the causes, effects, symptoms and methods of handling alcoholics. A table showing the effects on the average person of from two (two-ounce) nips and 28 nips of whisky is given. This is how the booklet says spirits or its equivalent in beer, will affect the drinker. Two nips (one bottle of

beer)—Dulls the top layers of the brain, controlling moral and physical judgments. The drinker sometimes loses some inhibitions and feels “on top of the world." Four nips (two bottles) — The drinker becomes gayer and may take some personal or physical liberties. Six nips (three bottles)— The Drinker begins to stagger and his speech slurs. Depending on the individual, a lack of moral behaviour and/or careless driving results. Eight nips (four bottles)— The drinker is now either hilarious or quarrelsome and may begin to see double. Twelve nips (six bottles) — The drinker is obviously drunk, needs help to walk and undress and tends to fall asleep. Fourteen to 21 nips (seven to 10$ bottles)— Usually dead drunk. Twenty-four to 28 nips (12 to 14 bottles)—Puts to sleep the lowest level of the brain. Finally, the heart stops. The table illustrates only the average effects of alcohol and assumes that the drinks are taken fairly quickly.