Tenfold growth seen in alcoholism cases

Press, 12 April 1984, Page 13

Tenfold growth seen in alcoholism cases

PA Auckland Hospital admissions for alcoholism have increased tenfold over the last 25 years, according to the Mental Health Foundation.

Over this same period, double the amount of alcohol has been consumed per person. Deaths from alcohol-related disease have almost tripled and alcohol has been responsible for more than 20 per cent of admissions to psychiatric hospitals.

The foundation director, Dr Max Abbott, says he endorses a comprehensive prevention programme to lower the incidence of alcohol-related problems. It is aimed at lowering per capita consumption, to lower the incidence of alcohol-related problems, Dr Abbott says. The New Zealand Licensing Trusts’ Association has called for less restrictions on liquor advertising. Advancing its case, it uses

“strange logic,” Dr Abbott says. “For example, it claims research has failed to establish any casual links between advertising, consumption, and problems,” he said.

“If industry leaders are so convinced advertising does not increase consumption, which is another name for sales, why do they want to spend millions of dollars doing more of it?” said Dr Abbott.