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Fluoridation is sincerely opposed by some on the grounds that
"mass medication" is unethical and indiscriminate but much
criticism about its introduction and its effects is emotive and
uninformed.
Available evidence indicates that only beneficial results arise
from fluoridation and a recent report in respect of Birmingham
reinforces this favourable appraisal. Fluoride at the rate of 1 p.p.m.
was introduced into the water supply during December 1964 and,
although there was some improvement in the dental condition of
5-year-olds, that in the case of the 3-year-olds was dramatic. Even
those whose teeth had not been subjected to fluoride at the
formative period derived some benefit from fluoridated water. All
this substantial improvement was gained at a cost of 3.3 pence per
annum per head of the population.
In present circumstances fluoridation is the one measure which,
of itself, could save us from becoming a dental prosthetic nation
of gastric sufferers. It is this Council's intention to press for
legislation requiring the fluoridation of all domestic water supplies.
Drug Addiction
Drug addiction has been fully covered in previous reports, and
there is little of note to add to what has already been written.
However, during the present period of indecision when experts are
disputing the most effective methods of dealing with this serious
situation, several aspects of the problem appear to me to need
emphasis. They are:—
1. As with alcohol and tobacco, drug taking is probably here to
stay.
2. As a problem, drug addiction has not reached the proportions
of alcoholism.
3. A superabundance of publicity seems to have had little, if
any, impact upon the spread of drug taking.
4. Transference to hospital of drug addicts has not curtailed
their activities.
5. Experience shows that legislation and punitive measures will
not produce a solution.
By their very nature, young people of whatever class are
rebellious of authority, headstrong, impulsive, less cautious, idealistic
and curious, and many are fascinated by mind-changing drugs.
It may well be that, in the majority of cases, these concommitants
of youth provide a more realistic explanation for the spread of
drug taking than many of the factors revealed by deep, involved
and prolonged sociological and psychological analysis. Indeed,