Alcohol abuse

Press, 10 July 1985, Page 16

Alcohol abuse

Sir,—After reading the recently published book, “Shadows over N.Z.,” which exposes some of the subversive activities of those radi-

cal members of our society, I would ask the National Council of Churches why it is stirring up discontent and disharmony in our nation through such issues as Maori land rights and cries of racism. The fact seems clear to me, and is documented in this book, that the greatest disservice the white man has done to the Maori is to provide him with almost limitless supplies of alcohol. From the earliest colonial days to the present, alcohol is clearly one of the main reasons for all Maori (and I should add white), social problems. Why is it, if the N.C.C. is genuine, that we never hear a word from it about this gross abuse.— Yours, etc., NEVILLE M. RUSH. July 7, 1985.

Sir,—Your correspondent, L. Ross (July 3) proffers the piquant observation that alcohol consumption is more likely to lead to social breakdown than drug-taking. Such a statement cannot easily be assessed, yet the impression remains that illegal drugs are more obviously publicised than legal, “acceptable” drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. Far too often the legal drugs, alcohol and tobacco, have been treated as if they are much safer than, and altogether different from, illegal substances. This is not necessarily so. Common ground exists between alcohol and drugs. Let us hope that attitudes are changing to the popularlyaccepted stereotypes.—Yours, etc., E. G. PALFI. July 6, 1985.