SERIES ON DRUG ABUSE IN N.Z.

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32381, 21 August 1970, Page 2

SERIES ON DRUG ABUSE IN N.Z.

“Why Drugs?” a series of pamphlets on drug abuse, has been compiled for use by women's groups and other interested organisations, by the Association of Presbyterian Women.

The “resource pack" is the result of the association’s concern about drug abuse in New Zealand. Mrs M. E. Houston, national convener of the programme and literature department describes the “resource pack” as her association’s endeavour to do something constructive to promote under standing. Five leaflets are contained In a coloured cardboard pack Much useful information is incorporated in each leaflet in easily-assimilated form. The causes of drug addiction, alcohol, marijuana, and other types of drugs and their effects, are some of the subjects covered. True cases of death arising from drug abuse in New Zealand, as reported to the Board of Health committee, are described in one leaflet. Another, entitled “Take Home Information on Drugs," includes a brief summary on “important facts you should know about drugs—narcotics, depressants, stimulants, tranquillisers, hallucinogens, and alcohol.”

Study material, and group and individual activities are

suggested. Designed to be used by

small groups, the leaflets also stimulate discussion. The technique of having members read aloud conversations be-

tween. imaginary friends, or topics for discussion which then involve the whole group, is used frequently. In Leaflet No. 2, on “Drugs and Youth,” a quotation from the Rev. E. Notts, of the Way-

e side Chapel in King's Cross, j. Sydney, that drug abuse is the most contagious disease in the world today among adolescents—a pattern of escape *’ from what they consider to *be a sick society—is to be *■ read aloud. Group discussion - e should then follow. Such ’■ guidelines occur in several ’■ leaflets. r A study draws attention to the incidence, of young people d obtaining drugs from home 1 medicine cabinets, and their l ’ distributions in school playn grounds. It also tells how to e recognise the signs of drug- ► taking. 1 “Among the first signs are ‘‘ the withdrawal of the young * person, dreaminess, listlessness, over-excitability, fol8 lowed by loss of interest in J their appearance. They no “ longer care about personal *■ cleanliness, and tidiness of hair. They begin to associate ® with undesirable companions. Have a talk with your family J doctor if you become seri--3 ously alarmed.”