286 / 346
GAZETTE
N O V
E M B E R
1983
Addiction Problems
Reviewed by
Society's Symposium
Appraisal of the increase in alcohol and drug addiction in
Ireland was undertaken at a symposium organised by the
Law Society last month. The participants included
doctors, social workers, clergy, senior officers of the
Garda Drug Squad and solicitors.
The Minister of State at the Department of Health
(Fergus O'Brien, T.D.), who is chairman of the
Government Task Force on Drug Abuse, opened the
symposium with statistics on the growth of drug abuse in
Dublin, the increase in the number of patients treated in
hospital, statistics of convictions for "pushing" — up
from 24 in 1981 to 99 last year; and for seizures — up from
1,204 in 1981 to 1,873 last year.
His figures were elaborated by the panel of speakers
including the Senior Registrar at the National Drug
Advisory and Treatment Centre, Jervis Street Hospital,
who said that "the number of young heroin abusers
treated at the Centre increased from an average of five per
month in 1979 to 250 a month last year". He considered
that the heroin abuse problem by very young people in all
classes of society was the major drug threat, followed by
abuse of cannabis and synthetic opium such as diconal
and palffium.
The approach to rehabilitation of drug addicts by the
Coolmine Lodge Therapeutic Community was explained
by James Comberton, executive chairman of the organis-
ation, who emphasised the manner in which drug abuse
can be detected by parents.
Dr. James Tubridy, Director of the Alcoholic Unit at
St. John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, showed the number
of alcoholic admissions to hospitals has risen steeply since
1965, with two "hiccups" in the graph — one caused by a
very sharp rise in the price of alcohol in 1975 and the
introduction of the breathalyser in 1978. He also
emphasised the increase in prosecutions for drunken
driving, with a special note on the greater number of
women charged with this offence. Statistically, he
commented, 5% of the poeple who drink alcohol become
addicts, giving the country approximately 75,000
alcoholics.
He criticised the rise in the number of licensing
exemptions granted — from 6,342 in 1967 to 42,111 in
1979.
Mrs. Odette Thompson, Director of the Hanly Centre,
Dun Laoghaire, reviewed the effect of alcoholism on
individuals and families; the use of Barring Orders, and
the approach to rehabilitation through support groups.
The discussions which followed each paper were
questioning and informative with the majority of the
audience contributing. The Law Society was thanked by
Inspector Denis Mullins, of the Garda Drug Squad, and
by other participants for the concern shown in the
organisation of the symposium.
Chairpersons for the sessions were Mrs. Moya Quinlan,
Adrian Bourke and Anthony Ensor.
•
•phcm®teGh l id
35/36 Pearse Street,
Dublin 2, Ireland.
Telephone: 715954/893538
Safeguard
Systems
s a f e g u a r d s y s t ems i r e l a n d l t d .
LUCAN, CO. DUBLIN.
Telephone 01-282904/5.
Full provision for V.A. T.
The Alternative to
the Computer
A Safeguard Solicitors Accounting System incor-
porating our unique cheque Application will give
you instant Book-keeping with full arithmetic
control. Please write or phone for our free
accounting manual and further information
without, of course, any obligation.
Complies fully with the Solicitors' Accounts
Regulations.
Moving office?
Moving
factory?
You will need
a new
telephone
system?
WE CAN SOLVE
YOUR
PROBLEMS
FEATURES
AND
BENEFITS OF
SYSTEM INCLUDE:
5 main lines; hold (unction;
14 extensions; paging function;
10 main lines; intercom call
(unction; 30 extensions; main
unit; stations; hartdsfree
amplifier; music on hold; door
phone; P J connector; extension
bell, transfer function.
SEE US AT STAND No. 246A
278