ALCOHOLISM SOCIETY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29511, 12 May 1961, Page 15

ALCOHOLISM SOCIETY

Many Persons Helped In the last year 158 persons concerned’with alcoholism. including 91 alcoholics, sought help from the Canterbury branch of the National Society of Alcoholism. The secretary (Mr J. C. Pirrit) told last evening’s annual meeting of the branch that the year had been a difficult one financially but rewarding in its activities. Of the persons who sought help, four had been sent to hospital, 32 had been referred to Alcoholics Anonymous. and 24 had been referred to the Al-Anon Family Group. Improvement had been reported in seven cases, and 36 were indeterminate. Some of the cases referred to Alcoholics Anonymous had been sent to hospitals, Mr Pirrit said.

Lack of finance had forced the closure of the Christchurch information centre. Mr Pirrit said. However, by courtesy of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, new premises had been taken over at 19 St. Asaph street. The Al-Anon Family Group was a valuable aid to the society. Mr Pirrit said. Like the society it dealt mainly with the wives, and relatives of alcoholics. Al-Ateen Group

The first meeting of the Al-Ateen Group had been held on April 18, Mr Pirrit said. This group had been helpful overseas to teen-age members of families faced with the problem. It had also helped combat juvenile delinquency brought about by insecurity in alcoholic homes. The society’s education programme had been vigorous, he said. Twenty-seven groups had been addressed. Increased desire for knowledge was evident among many organisations and “even in secondary schools.”

The executive committee elected was:—The Very Rev. Martin Sullivan (chairman); Dr. Francis Bennett, Dr. R. C. S. Dick. Dr. E. B. Reilly, Mr Raymond Ferner. S.M., Insoector J. B. McLean. Brigadier F. W. Hay, the Very Rev. Monsignor T. Liddy, Messrs David Barrett. J.P., J. O. Mcßryde, D. S. Aitken, T. E. Roff. Mrs A. Schumacher J.P.. Mr L. W. Warren.