Advisory Committee on Alcoholism (Hansard, 12 December 1978)

§ Mr. Ennals:

The advisory committee on alcoholism was set up in March 1975 for a three-year period to advise on services relating to alcoholism, and where appropriate to promote their development. The committee has produced valuable reports on the prevention of alcohol misuse and on the pattern and range of services for problem drinkers, both of which have been published. A third report, on the education and training of professional staff and voluntary workers, has recently been completed. The committee has also given advice over a wide range of aspects of the misuse of alcohol and a sub-group has set in train the development of services for homeless problem drinkers. Through its work, the committee has fostered a much more widespread appreciation of the problems of alcohol abuse and of the possibilities of helping problem drinkers.

The committee's life was extended when its initial three-year term expired in March in order to enable it to complete the series of reports, etc. The committee has now fulfilled its terms of reference and the next task must be for Departments to follow up the far-reaching advice.

The follow-up action already in hand includes a consultative document on the committee's recommendation on prevention, together with those of the Employment and Social Services Sub-Committee of the Expenditure Committee. This is in preparation for publication in the Health Departments' "Prevention and Health" series. The views of health authorities and local social services authorities, professional and voluntary organisations have been invited on the committee's 140W recommendations on future services for problem drinkers.

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I are most grateful to the chairman, Professor Kessel, and to the members of the committee for their work and for the clear, constructive and comprehensive advice they have provided for future development.