Alcohol centre opened

Press, 2 April 1979, Page 7

Alcohol centre opened

The cost of running the alcohol assessment centre which has been opened in Christchurch will be close to SIOO,OOO next year, according to the member of Parliament for Fendalton, Mr E. S. F. Holland. The establishment of the centre, which is run by the North Canterbury Hospital Board, was a significant move towards the rehabilitation and cure of those who has lost control of their drinking habits, Mr Holland said at the centre’s opening. The cost of setting up the centre was met by a com-munity-care grant from the special duty on alcohol and tobacco. It would meet the cost of establishment, $57,000, and the $40,000 running costs for 1978-1979. “Excessive drinking is a major health problem. It creates enormous social difficulties including marriage break-ups, family disruptions, child neglect and

abuse, as well as the more widely publicised and perhaps better known aspects of road accidents and crimes against both persons and property,” Mr Holland said. The chairman of the Hosptial Board (Mr T. C. Grigg) said the centre would provide information for persons with alcohol problems and would provide referral services for other agencies dealing with alcohol and drug abuse. Already more than 300 persons in need of assessment had been seen in the last few weeks. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. G. Hay) wished the centre success, and congratulated the organisers for providing a non-al-coholic drink for guests at the opening ceremony. Too often guests were embarrassed by having to ask for a non-alcoholic drink, he said.