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At a later date another film "Narcotics the Decision" and slides on "Drugs" by Dr. Tylden were
shown to a mixed professional audience; opinion was divided on their value. This film and the slides
have been used in schools, with a group of young adults, and at a Parent-Teachers Meeting. The
most valuable part of these talks is the discussion which follows, and emphasises the need for a
well informed adult to lead such discussions. "Drugs" is a highly emotional and controversial topic.
Education must be the key, not dramatisation of the facts.
Literature, and taped talks with slides are available in the Department and may be borrowed in
conjunction with a lecturer.
Daily Guardian Meeting
In November a successful meeting was held in the Moselle Rooms, Tottenham Town Hall,
attended by daily guardians (child minders), health visitors and nursery matrons. This meeting
was partly a "Thank you" to these women, who give a much needed service for Haringey children, and
also gave an opportunity to explain the new regulations concerning child minders, as well as
introducing an educational aspect.
Displays on development, play material and home safety aroused much interest. The evening
finished with discussions and a film. Due to the interest shown by the daily guardians future
health educational activities are planned.
The display on development and play material has been on continuous exhibition in clinics, at
schools and at the Head Teacher's Centre, Wood Green. At the suggestion of teachers, certain
educational material for the pre-school child is to be added.
Health education to other establishments and outside organisations
Two dental health education sessions formed part of the Summer Project, organised by the
Haringey Commonwealth Citizens Committee for Haringey children.
Talks to outside organisations continue to be given by members of the Departmental staff, on
such topics as cancer, drugs, general health, and first aid, to mention but a few.
Health progaganda and displays in Council premises and on public notice boards is part of the
day-to-day activity of the section. Despite the lack of storage space the section has a widely
varied, if limited, supply of teaching aids which it loans to schools and other organisations.
The demand for speakers and information, together with requests for audio-visual aids is
noticeably increasing as the section's activities became better known. A revised visual-aid
catalogue is to be produced in the coming year and more widely circulated.
The First Report of the World Health Organisation's Expert Committee on Health Education of the
Public makes the following definition:
"The principal functions of the professional Health Education specialist are to strengthen and
extend the educational functions of all members of the health team, and to supplement their Health
Education activities on a sustained and organised basis".
To this end the Health Education Officer assists staff and other Departments of the Council with
in-service training, and makes contact with, and in some instances is co-opted on to committees of
organisations which are likely to influence public opinion.
In providing such a service adequate facilities such as a reference library, lecture room, a
workshop and adequate storage space are essential requirements.
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Services for the Mentally Subnormal
30 children are sponsored by this authority for two days per week at the Hornsey Centre for
Handicapped Children. Marked improvements can be seen in the habits and behaviour of these
children who are less severely affected mentally and physically.
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