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Show National, State, Local Campaigns On I To Combat the Effects of Alcoholism i Throughout the nation information infor-mation Is being distributed in regard re-gard to Alcoholism and Its effect on the Individual, family, community, com-munity, state and nation as a part of the observance of National Nation-al Alcoholism Information Week, now in progress. The Importance In understand-Ing understand-Ing the nature of alcoholism and the recognition of it as a disease dis-ease has been stressed by the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and by former president, Dwlght D. Eisenhower. President Kennedy recognizes the Importance of the observance and the importance of information informa-tion regarding the disease, recognizing re-cognizing the suffering and hardships hard-ships it causes and the fact that that It can be prevented through treatment. Former President Elsenhower, stressed in his statement to the nation, the opportunity affords to alert our citizens to the nature and gravity of a serious health problem. In southern Utah another organization, or-ganization, sometimes unsung, has been contributing over the past several years to a genuine I program of assistance for AIco-, AIco-, holies. That organization is the Southern Utah Council of Alcoholism. Alco-holism. (SUCA). and the Assistance Assist-ance Center which Is located on 300 West Street in Cedar City. This continued effort of the SUCA has made tremendous strides relative to the disease of alcoholism through diligent program of assistance. The Board of Directors, now chalrmaned by Leighton Dennett of Cedar City is made up of half rehabilitated rehabili-tated alcoholics and half laymen, lay-men, have made strides in "arresting' "ar-resting' this disease for a number num-ber of men. The organization is part of the Utah State Foundation on Alcoholism Al-coholism and works very closely with them in connection with all of their functions. The council coun-cil also recognizes Alcoholics Annonymous as a necessary part of the therapy for alcoholism, and works closely with, the AA. In a report made this past year at the time of the annual meeting meet-ing of the board of directors of the SUCA, some pertinent facts revealed some of the extensive work being accomplished. It indicated that the - year, throught May 1962, over 170 persons per-sons had contributed to the council to facilitate its operation. At the center several hundred pamphlets, books and leaflets were distributed to the public. Innumerable phone calls were answered pertaining to the problem pro-blem of alcoholism. Hundreds of students in the area were presented with lectures and shown films on the disease and its problems. Talks were given by members of the council and other public and semi-public meetings were held to disemin-ate disemin-ate information to help prevent alcoholism through the efforts of the council members. During the year's time, over 50 men resided at the Center and it had operated at capacity for the first five months of the year. Maximum accomodations are available for nine at any one time. Since its inception five years ago, 172 persons have found help at this Center, with approximately approximate-ly 50 of these from Iron County. Others were from many counties, principally in the southern Utah area including Kane, Washing-ton, Washing-ton, Beaver and some from northern north-ern Utah as well. Of these men, the report Indicated, In-dicated, 47 left with the "disease" of alcoholism "arrested," and were returned to their families and resumed gainful employ-ment. employ-ment. Indications were that 29 of the men showed definite improvement im-provement with the remainder still in question when released. |