HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1980-08-21, Page 5•
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Citizens News, August 21, 1980
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Alcohol abuse affects one in three Huron homes
By JIM NEER
Qne out of every three
homes in Huron County is
affected by alcohol abuse,
said Grant Ellison, chair-
man of The Committee for
Action on Alcohol and Other
Drugs in Huron County.
"Approximately 900
people were treated in Huron
County for alcohol abuse,"
he said. "About 350 of those
were treated as in -patients
and in psychiatric care at
Goderich hospital.''
Reflecting upon his ex-
perience working with
younger children, Mr.
Ellison said children as
young as 11 and 12 years of
age, are now experimenting
with alcohol.
"Alcohol is the number one
drug of preference between
the ages of 14 and 18. That is
followed by tobacco and then
marijuana."
According to Mr. Ellison,
children as young as 13 and
15 are coming out to one of
the _15 Huron County AA
centres for counselling and
help.
"Within the last five years,
there have been more people
under the age of 35 attending
than there have been over
the age of 35."
This, added Mr. Ellison, is
good because it means
people have become aware
of the problems, and are "no
longer waiting until they're
50 and their lives are half
ruined to get help."
One reason for alcohol
abuse in Huron County may
be the gradual transition of
township from dry to wet
(making alcohol legal) over
the past few years.
"Most of Huron County
was dry for a long time and
like a child deprived of his all
day sucker, when they got it,
they went hairy," he said.
Social acceptance
Adding to the problem, is
the drinking age, alcohol
advertisements and the
social acceptance of alcohol
in general, said Mr. Allison.
"Alcohol has taken a more
open stand in the com-
munity. It is even found at
church functions now."
Parents, although they
cannot control their children
totally, should be able to set
a good example, said Mr.
Ellison.
"However, they are not
totally to blame."
"The whole thing has to be
researched we have to begin
to understand the
problems," he said. "It is
general concern, to most
parents, but they don't know
which way to turn."
Mr. Ellison said he does
not believe a lack of activities
and boredom drives Huron
County youth to drink.
"There are lots of
programs available, but
younger people just don't
want to take part," he said.
"Most say if they had
another outlet, they would
use it, but I don't believe that
is true."
General acceptance
Chris Martin, a full time
court worker for Family and
Children's Services in
Goderich, said one of the
biggest cdntributors to the
Huron County alcohol
problem is area residents'
general acceptance.
"We have accepted the
way things are, there is not
enough of a push to enforce
the law and in a way that is
condoning the problem,"
said Mr. Martin, who
previous to his appointment
as court worker was a social
worker involved exclusively
with adolescents.
"The sum total of things to
do for kids here, if they're
not into roller skating, is to
go on gravel runs," be said.
Drugs are just as serious,
said Mr. Martin, adding
however, harder drugs are
no longer being used in as
great numbers as five years
ago.
"It used to be one or the
other (alcohol or drugs).
Now, it is both."‘
"We, of the adult
population are responaible
for that," he said, adding
adults are not setting a good
example.
"Adults need to set a far
better example than they
have been doing," said Mr.
Martin. "You can't try to
solve your problems with
alcohol and expect your kids
to do differently."
Developing a drop-in
centre program is one idea
Mr. Martin thinks might help
get kids together in an ap-
propriate way.
"There needs to be more
community alternatives for
those who use drugs or
alcohol," he said.
Education plus recreation
Recreation is not a
reasonable answer, said Mr.
Martin.
"You have to do a whole
education program with
recreation. With some kids,
their heads are just not
there. The kids who have the
Continued from page 4
Miscellaneous Rueublings
shows that an aminal's health can be affected as much
by its social environment as by its food or housing."
This writer had the opportunity this past week to
see the third to last performance of Eric Nichol's
"Free at Last" at the Huron Country Playhouse, a
play which should enjoy widespread popularity across
Canada in future years.
While the show which details the trials and
tribulations of a recently separated west coast
gentleman and his wife is quite entertaining and
features plenty of good one liners, the highlight of the
evening was the cabaret performance of the
Playhouse's Young Performers.
The company of James Saar, Michael C. Vieira,
Albert Brule, Lori Bond, Ann Joyce and Dawn Bren-
nan provided a superb 45 minutes of entertainment
following the main show.
Their performance was so full ofvitalityand "good
vibes" that it far surpassed "Free at Last" in terms of
sheer entertainment value.
Artistic director Aileen Taylor -Smith who had a
major role in the play bubbled with enthusiasm when
the Young Company's performance was mentioned.
In this writer's humble opinion (That's one pretty
worn line. isn't it?), the Young Company's presenta-
tion of a play or musical experience following a
regular performance is one of the best ideas which the
Playhouse has ever had.
If the Young Company performs following presen-
tations of "Annie Get Your Gun" in the next two weeks
time, don't miss them. Relax, have a drink and enjoy.
MR. AND MRS. STEVEN KREUTER
Marion Chessell and Steven Kreuter are pictured following
their marriage at Rostock United Church on June 14. The
bride is the daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Wm. Chessell of Varna
and the groom's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Kreuter of
Rostock. Rev. Bruce Eaton was the officiating minister. Mary
Jane Templeman of Staffa was the maid of honour.
Bridesmoids were Kathy Krueter of Rostock and Mrs. Susan
Chessell of Stratford. Christine Chessell was the flower girl
and Shane Kelly was the ring bearer. Earl Nowock of Stret-
ford was the best man. Ushers were Peter Kelly of St. Williams
and Paul Chessell of Stratford. Special music was provided by
Mrs. Janice Eydt and Larry Horan, cousins of the groom, sing-
ing in duet, accompanied ..by Brian Chessell on guitar and
flute. A reception followed at the Sebringville Recreation Cen-
tre. The couple is residing in Stratford.
(Photo by Gary Struthers)
problems just don't join
clubs in the community or at
school."
The number of teenagers
abusing alcohol is getting
larger, according to Mr.
Martin, but the concern for
alcohol abuse appears to be
diminishing.
Out of an average 40 cases
Mr. Martin handled as a
social worker, he said 10
percent of those teenagers
would have a serious
drinking problem.
"I've seen kids drinking at
and in school and using
drugs at and in school. Those
are kids who cannot deal
with their problems, using
alcohol and drugs to try and
solve them."
According to a survey
conducted by the London
Research Addiction Foun=
dation, alcohol consumption
in Huron County has seen
drastic increases between
1963 and 1974. A total of 79
percent increase is listed for
per capita consumption of
alcohol over the age of 15.
But that, said David Hart,.
director of the London centre
serving the five county area,
is due to the increasing
amount of liquor sales
establishments and tran-
sitions from wet to
townships in Huron County.
In fact, consumption of
alcohol in Huron County for
those over the age of 15 was
10.8 litres of absolute alcohol
per person in 1976 (the most
recent study available) said
Mr. Hart. "Compared to the
Ontario average that year of
11.6, that figure is low.
Come early, stay late, have.fun at the
15th annual
ZURICH BEAN FESTIVAL
Drop by and see
our selection of fine
local handicrafts.
THE F.A.C.T.
SHOPPE Zurkh
8
8
Residents of the Village of
Zurich extend a warm
welcome to all those who are
attending the Bean Festival
Corporation of the
VILLAGE OF ZURICH
FRB NABR
REEVE
Bob Fisher, Isidore Laporte,
Jim Bedard, Leroy Thiel
COUNCILLORS
SHARON BAKER
CLERK