THE TREATMENT OF DRUNKARDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4780, 18 July 1876, Page 3

THE TREATMENT OF DRUNKARDS.

At various times there have been numerous theories suggested as to the best mode of treating drunkards, but a proposition made by a writer in the Licensed Victualler a' Gazette is, to say the least, novel. He says :—lst. I propose that any person being found intoxicated in any public place, that, is in hotels, streets, or places of amusement, should be liable to be summoned before a magistrate for the offence, and if so drunk as to be helpless, that the police should be instructed to take the indi•yi(Jar""~v) his residence, and the expense be charge against the person, and he have to appear, and then be called upon to pay the expense. That in the event of the inebriate becoming disorderly or obstructive, he should be taken to the stationhouse, •where he should be brought, before a medical man. The police station to be as near a hospital as possible, but either near a hospital or not, I would have a medical man in attendance, and I would provide for the payment of the doctor by charging the fee (which should be moderate} to the inebriate; and if he could not pay the Bame upon conviction before the magistrate, the magistrate should be empowered to make the amount payable out of his earnings as a very first charge. After being examined by the doctor as to his state, he should be placed in a warm cell and properly cared for >y having covering given him, and if obstreperous should be supplied with a straight jacket, but in all cases he should be allowed to have such restoratives doctor might order. The doctor should, Tr the police-sergeant should, every half-hour see that the inebriate was properly cared for. At a certain time in the morning, if the inebriate should be sufficiently sensible, he should be permitted to send for bail, and upon bail being accepted he should be allowed to leave, and be bound to appear on the same morning, or the morning following should severe prostration of the system justify the delay. So far so good, this is all in favor of the person who has got drunk ; but I propose on the other hand that all this should be paid for : the removal home, the doctor's fees, the nourishment supplied, the charge for lodging, the expense of sending for bail, and the charge for hearing the caße. This to be recoverable from the offender summarily or become a charge on his earnings, to be paid as the magistrate might direct. In the event of paupers, or persona incapable of paying, the whole or part of these charges might be omitted at the option of the magistrate. For the first offence the offender's name should not bo published. 2nd. For the second offence I would inflict a fine of twenty-five shillings, in addition to the above expanses. 3rd. For the third offence I would inflict a fine of forty shillings, and suggest that it be further enacted that the magistrate order the offender to wear a three months' medal on his or her breast. 4th. That upon a person being convicted of a fourth offence, he should be imprisoned for twenty-four hours, and bo ordered to wear a six months' medal, in addition to a fine of forty Bhillings, and the charges. sth, That upon conviction of a fifth offence,

the offender, be imprisoned for one week, and be ordered to wear » year's medal without fine or charges. 6th. That upon a sixth offence being proved, the offender should be imprisoned for one month, and be ordered to wear a life medal, without fine or charges. ' The medal above alluded to should be worn upon the breast in a prominent position, and should be for the third offence the medal only, for the fourth with one clasp, for the fifth with two clasps, and the life medal should be surmounted with a decorative emblem; And it should be enacted that during the time that such person wore the medals no person whatever should supply the wearer with intoxicating liquors of any description, and that any persons so doing should be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month for the first offence, and not less than one month nor more than six months for the second offence. It also be made law that persons ordered to wear medals omitting to do so should be punished in like manner. The three and six months medals to be delivered up at the expiration of the time. However, as the law at present stands we must accept it. My plan is not so matured so far as regards punishment for any additional offence committed by the personwhilst under the influence of liquor; but I will say that the law as it exists—or, I may be more correct if I say, the institution known as the police cell"is in its practice fa blot upon, our civilisation. It is the boast of England's subjects that every one is innocent until proved to be guilty, and yet thousands of people are cruelly punished every year by being cast into damp, cold, and miserable cells for long weary hours, with no food ; they are ordered about by tho police and made to perform work, and then have to wait for probably some hours before his Worship takes his seat on the bench. More punishment is in store, for the newspapers are permitted to make his name public, and this in the face of the decision of a magistrate, that a drunken person is not bound even to give his nam's. But I must leave the remainder of my reflections for another time.