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28
ALCOHOLISM
Considerable concern has been expressed in many
quarters about the incidence of alcoholism, particularly
the extent and effects of crude spirit drinking. During
the year this Council supported the Southwark Borough
Council in their request to the Metropolitan Boroughs'
Standing Joint Committee to make representations to the
Home Secretary on the subject.
About a year previously a number of persons interested
in this problem set up the Camberwell Council on Alcoholism.
This is a voluntary body comprised of doctors, clergymen,
probation officers, social workers and others, and the
Medical Officer of Health was appointed as its Chairman.
Its objects are to find out more about the impact of
alcohol on the community, and by joint effort to help in
the solution of some of its problems. During its first
year it concentrated its efforts on a study of the homeless
alcoholic - the man who 'sleeps rough' and drinks surgical
spirit. A detailed scheme was drawn up for a Halfway
House where such men can be cared for and treated. Thanks
to the generosity of the Helping Hand Organisation this
scheme is now about to be put into operation, suitable
premises having already been acquired in Grove Park.
The Camberwell Council on Alcoholism also publishes a
quarterly Bulletin, the first issue of which was produced
in June 1963. This has a very wide distribution amongst
doctors, clergymen, social workers and others, and many
copies go abroad. It has been commended as an interesting
and informative publication.