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68
for information on the locality of clinics and times of treatment. Other calls were requests for
literature on the dangers of venereal diseases. No other matter is dealt with on this telephone,
the number of which is widely advertised throughout the London area.
Notices
Meetings were held with representatives from the City Engineer's Department for a new design
of notices in the City Council's public conveniences. The new notices are expected to be produced
in 1969 in plastic, others in ceramic tiles, which will be fixed permanently in each water closet of
the City Council's public conveniences. Notices of a less durable material have succumbed to
vandalism.
Chest Clinics
The three social workers at the chest clinics report that they deal with an increasing number
of problems connected with housing, finance, and employment. They undertake fairly prolonged
case work where necessary. During the year they made 115 home visits and interviewed 2,166
patients in the clinics. The number of cases being dealt with at the end of the year was 428.
Drug Dependency
Two projects which had been started by two members of the staff in 1967, continued in 1968.
The first was in connection with drug dependency among young people in the City. The aims of
the survey were as follows:
(1) To find out by discussions with those in touch with young people in Westminster whether
they had problems in this field.
(2) To discuss with individuals and organisations already working in the field the contribution
they were making.
(3) To reach some conclusions from these interviews regarding (a) the extent of the problem
in Westminster and (b) to consider what gaps exist in the provision at present made, and
to explore the possible ways in which the local authority might help.
A report was submitted to the Health Committee in January, 1968, when it was suggested that
the Health Department might help in the following ways:
1. The Department could keep abreast of all developments in this field and maintain an up-todate
information service, which could be available to other workers.
2. The Department could offer a social worker service to people with problems of drug
dependency of whatever kind. Whilst other social workers will have a statutory obligation
with regard to certain categories of young people (e.g. Children's Department, Probation
Service) there are other cases not covered in this way.
3. The Department could have speakers available on this topic for youth clubs, technical
colleges, etc. The possible co-operation with the Inner London Education Authority
Health Education Officers at parent-teacher meetings and with lectures to school children
could be explored. This could be useful in informing parents who are anxious that they
can discuss the matter with the head teacher or arrange for the child to be seen by the
school medical officer.
4. The Department could investigate with the Inner London Education Authority the
possibilities of a statistical survey being carried out in schools in Westminster amongst
young people of 14 to 16 years of age which would provide factual evidence of the pattern
of drug taking. This would be valuable in enabling health education for young people to
start from a basis of knowledge.
5. It is likely that there will be a need for many facilities for the rehabilitation of patients
who have been withdrawn from drug dependence, but it is difficult at this stage to make
positive recommendations. It is planned to maintain close contact with the psychiatrists
in charge of the treatment centres at Westminster, St. Mary's and Charing Cross Hospitals
in order to obtain details of the numbers of patients who will need accommodation and
help during the period of rehabilitation. At present it is planned that the work of this
survey should continue with visits to general practitioners, hospital psychiatrists, Colleges
for Further Education, Technical Colleges, Youth Leaders, etc.
The Health Committee decided to adopt as its policy the various suggestions set out above.