REMARKS BY SECRETARY JOSEPH A. CALIFANO, JR. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM SHERATON PARK HOTEL WASHINGTON, D. C.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00156R000300050049-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 29
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 9, 2003
• Sequence Number: 49
• Publication Date: May 1, 1979
• Content Type: SPEECH

?e
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J
HEW
LJJ
REMARKS BY
SECRETARY JOSEPH A. CALIFANO, JR.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
TO THE
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM
Sheraton Park Hotel
Washington, D. C.
May 1, 1979
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THANK YOU, MR. STEINHAUER.
I AM GLAD TO BE HERE -- TO SALUTE THIS ANNUAL FORUM
OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM ON ITS 35TH
ANNIVERSARY: THIS GATHERING OF DEVOTED PEOPLE WHO HAVE
DONE SO MUCH TO SAVE AND SALVAGE LIVES.
AND I WELCOME. THIS OPPORTUNITY TO OUTLINE A MAJOR
NEW ADMINISTRATION INITIATIVE IN THE FIELD OF ALCOHOLISM.
I BRING YOU GREETINGS FROM PRESIDENT CARTER -- ANU A
COMMITMENT FROM HIM. THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT HAS COME
ONLY LATELY TO THIS FIELD. THE GOVERNMENT CAN NEVER BE AND SHOULD NEVER BE -- MORE THAN A PARTNER, GIVING HELP
AND SUPPORT TO YOU. BUT WE INTEND TO BE A MORE EFFECTIVE
PARTNER.
IT IS TIME TO PROVE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT
ALCOHOLISM IS NOT ONLY A TREATABLE DISEASE, BUT A
BEATABLE DISEASE.
AS A BEGINNING, WE ARE DECLARING A NEW DAY OF
EXCELLENCE FOR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALCOHOL ABUSE
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AND ALCOHOLISM -- WHOSE NEW LEADER WAS SWORN IN JUST
LAST WEEK: JOHN R. DELUCA OF NEW YORK.
AND WE ARE LAUNCHING TODAY A RANGE OF NEW EFFORTS
TO SUPPORT YOUR CAUSE. FOR THE COMING YEAR, WE HAVE
REQUESTED 22 MILLION NEW DOLLARS FOR TRAINING, PREVENTION
AND TREATMENT IN THE FIELD OF ALCOHOLISM. THIS IS THE
LARGEST INCREASE REQUESTED IN ANY PRESIDENT'S BUDGET
SINCE THE LAUNCHING OF OUR UTAAA PROGRAMS.
IT IS FITTING THAT WE LAUNCH THIS NEW INITIATIVE
IN THE MIDST OF HEW's YEAR OF PREVENTION: A YEAR IN
WHICH WE ARE WORKING TO FOCUS HEW PROGRAMS, AND THE
ATTENTION OF THE NATION, ON THE VALUE OF EARLY DETECTION
AND PROMPT TREATMENT; ON REACHING PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY
EXPLODE INTO CRISES; ON EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT
THEY CAN DO TO KEEP THEMSELVES HEALTHY.
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THAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND OUR NEW EFFORT TO
IMMUNIZE 90 PERCENT OF THE NATION'S CHILDREN AGAINST THE
MAJOR PREVENTABLE CHILDHOOD DISEASES BY THE END OF THIS
YEAR. THAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND OUR INTENSIFIED
SMOKING-AND-HEALTH PROGRAM, WHICH IS ALREADY SHOWING RESULTS.
AND THAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE INITIATIVE I AM
ANNOUNCING TODAY IN THE FIELD OF ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.
THE STEPS WE WILL TAKE ARE BASED ON THREE FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES:
? FIRST, THAT ALCOHOLISM IS A DISEASE -- AND A
TREATABLE DISEASE;
SECOND, THAT THIS DISEASE TOUCHES ALL OF US IN
SOME WAY;
AND THIRD, THAT THERE IS A ROLE FOR EVERY SECTOR
OF OUR SOCIETY IN THE EFFORT TO CONQUER THIS
DISEASE.
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YOU WHO HAVE TOILED SO LONG, WITH LIMITED RESOURCES:
YOU WHO HAVE SEEN SO MUCH HUMAN TRAGEDY CAN TAKE SATISFACTION
IN KNOWING THAT YOUR EFFORTS HAVE BORNE FRUIT:
? THE VEIL OF SHAME AND DENIAL THAT ONCE HUNG OVER
THE DISEASE OF ALCOHOLISM IS LIFTING, MORE
AND MORE COURAGEOUS AMERICANS -- FROM BETTY FORD
TO WILBUR MILLS TO HAROLD HUGHES -- ARE STANDING
UP AND SAYING, "I HAVE SUFFERED FROM THIS DISEASE,
AND I AM RECOVERING." SOME OF THESE LEADERS
ARE WITH US HERE TODAY: MR. MILLS; THE OSCAR-
WINNING ACTRESS MERCEDES FICCAM RIDGE; AND THE
GREAT HERO OF THE BROOKLYN DODGERS, Don INE?-,C0MBE,
? FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY,
THE DEATH RATE FROM CIRRHOSIS HAS GONE DOWN.
THIS ACHIEVEMENT IS A TRIBUTE TO YOUR WORK IN
PREVENTION IN EARLY INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT
AND IN FOSTERING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF
ALCOHOLISM.
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i THE ALCOHOL BEVERAGE INDUSTRY IS ACTUALLY
SUPPORTING AND JOINING IN THE EFFORT TO WARN
PEOPLE ABOUT ALCOHOL ABUSE:
SINCE 1972, THE DISTILLED SPIRITS COUNCIL--
DISCUS--HAS CONDUCTED PAID ADVERTISING
CAMPAIGNS IN THE MAJOR MEDIA TO ENCOURAGE
RESPONSIBLE USE OF THEIR PRODUCT. AND
DISCUS HAS SPENT-MORE THAN $9 MILLION
IN THE PAST TEN YEARS FOR RESEARCH INTO
ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.
- THE UNITED STATES BREWERS ASSOCIATION HAS
COMMITTED ITSELF TO A NEW NATIONWIDE
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM WITH THE THEME "THINK
TWICE ABOUT DRINKING." ITS MESSAGE IS
DIRECTED AT TEENAGERS--"IF YOU ARE UNDER-
AGE, DON'T DRINK OUR BEER."
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THE WINE INSTITUTE HAS ADOPTED AN
OCCUPATIONAL ALCOHOLISM PROGRAM TO PROVIDE
HELP TO ITS OWN EMPLOYEES, AND AN ADVER-
TISING CODE TO PROMOTE MODERATION AND
DISCOURAGE ABUSE.
I'HAVE MET WITH INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES AND THEY
HAVE PLEDGED TO DO EVEN MORE IN THE FUTURE. THIS REFLECTS
A SPIRIT OF PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY THAT I WANT TO APPLAUD
AND ENCOURAGE TODAY.
THESE FACTS ARE SIGNS OF HOPE. THEY SUGGEST THAT
YOUR MESSAGE IS GETTING THROUGH.
THE KEYNOTE OF YOUR MOVEMENT--AND OF MY REMARKS TODAY--
IS NOT PROHIBITION, BUT PRUDENCE. THE ENEMY IS NOT DRINK-
ING, BUT PROBLEM DRINKING; ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL ABUSE--
EXCESSIVE OR INAPPROPRIATE DRINKING THAT CAUSES PROBLEMS
IN HEALTH, AT WORK, ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH THE LAW AND WITHIN
FAMILIES.
WE HAVE, AS A NATION, MADE ENORMOUS PROGRESS. BUT
WE HAVE A LONG, LONG WAY TO GO IF WE ARE TO EASE THE
PAIN AND GRIEF THAT PROBLEM DRINKING CAUSES:
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? THE TOLL OF ALCOHOL-RELATED DEATHS IS AWESOME.
ACROSS THE NATION EACH YEAR, NEARLY 100,000
PEOPLE DIE FROM CAUSES RELATED TO PROBLEM
DRINKING. AND THIS NUMBER DOES NOT COUNT
DEATHS FROM OTHER DISEASES IN WHICH ALCOHOL
MAY BE INVOLVED.
? THE NUMBER OF THESE DEATHS AND THE FACT THAT
SO MANY ARE CLEARLY PREVENTABLE MAKES PROBLEM
DRINKING, AFTER SMOKING, PREVENTABLE PUBLIC
HEALTH ENEMY NUMBER TWO IN AMERICA.
? CERTAINLY NO OTHER DISEASE EXACTS SUCH A
FEARFUL ECONOMIC COST: TENS OF BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS IN DIRECT HEALTH-CARE COSTS; IN LOST
PRODUCTIVITY AND UNEMPLOYMENT; IN AUTO ACCIDENTS,
VIOLENT CRIMES, FIRES AND SOCIAL-SERVICE COSTS.
INFORMED ESTIMATES PUT THE ECONOMIC COST OF
PROBLEM DRINKING AT MORE THAN $40 BILLION EACH
YEAR.
WE ALL PICK UP THE TAB FOR THE THREE MARTINI LUNCH--
AND THE TAB IS $40 BILLION.
"rSOURCE: 1HIRD SPECIAL REPORT TO THE U.S. CONGRESS ON
A1~Fora e01 F AND HEALTH, JUNE 1978.
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THESE ARE THE NUMBERS WE HAVE; WE BELIEVE THAT
MANY OF THEM MAY IN FACT BE TOO LOW. INDEED, ONE OF
THE FIRST THINGS WE WANT TO DO IN THE EFFORT I WILL
OUTLINE TODAY IS TO GET BETTER INFORMATION: TO ASK
THE RIGHT QUESTIONS ABOUT ALCOHOLISM--AND TO GET MORE
SOPHISTICATED DATA.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE KNOW THAT THE COST OF
THIS DISEASE IN HUMAN SUFFERING IS INCALCULABLE: IN
HOMES DISRUPTED, IN CAREERS DERAILED, IN CHILDREN
ABUSED AND TRAUMATIZED. EACH OF-US KNOWS ONLY TOO
WELL OF A FAMILY TORN APART, A TEENAGER CRIPPLED
IN A CAR CRASH, A LIFE WRECKED BY PROBLEM DRINKING.
WE CAN, OF COURSE, HAVE AN IMPACT ON THESE TRAGIC
NUMBERS ONLY IF*WE MAKE HEADWAY AGAINST ANOTHER PROBLEM:
THE PROBLEM OF PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND PUBLIC AWARENESS.
FOR HERE, TOO, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS,
MORE REMAINS TO BE DONE.
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THERE ARE STILL TOO MANY PEOPLE AFRAID TO SEEK
TREATMENT; TOO MANY WHO DO NOT YET KNOW THE DAMAGE
THAT ALCOHOL ABUSE CAN CAUSE -- AND TOO MANY WHO PUT
THEMSELVES AT RISK. THERE ARE STILL TOO MANY WHO
MISTAKENLY FEEL THAT ALCOHOLISM IS NOT A TREATABLE
DISEASE, BUT AN EMBARRASSING WEAKNESS, TO BE AGONIZED
OVER IN SECRET.
IT IS A PERSISTENT MYTH THAT THE TYPICAL PROBLEM
DRINKER IS A MIDDLE-AGED MAN HEADED FOR SKID ROW, LIKE
THE DISINTEGRATING FIGURE IMMORTALIZED BY RAY MILLAND
IN "THE LOST WEEKEND."
IN FACT THERE IS NO TYPICAL PROBLEM DRINKER.
THE PROBLEM DRINKER IS A WOMAN, TOO: A WOMAN WHOSE
OUTWARD LIFE MAY SEEM PERFECT, EVEN PRIVILEGED -- BUT
WHO FEELS OVERWHELMED; WHO ENDURES THE DISEASE OF
ALCOHOLISM ALONE, IN SECRET.
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THE PROBLEM DRINKER IS THE CLEAN-CUT TEENAGER IN YOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD WHO MAY ONLY DRINK OCCASIONALLY, ON WEEKENDS,
AT PARTIES: BUT WHO DRINKS TOO MUCH -- AND THEN DRIVES.
IT IS A MYTH THAT PROBLEM DRINKERS BELONG ONLY TO
CERTAIN CLASSES OR RACES OR INCOME GROUPS; THAT THE PROBLEM
IS "OUT THERE." IN THE GHETTO OR ON THE BOWERY.
IN FACT THE PROBLEM DRINKER MAY BE ANYONE: FAMOUS
EXECUTIVE OR FACTORY FOREMAN; COMMUNITY LEADER OR
CLERGYMAN: THE TRIAL LAWYER WHO DRINKS "FOR CONFIDENCE:"
THE SURGEON WHO WON'T ADMIT THAT HIS DRINKING IS GETTING
OUT OF HAND.
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AND THE PROBLEM DRINKER'S PROBLEM IS OFTEN NOT
SIMPLY ALCOHOL. IT IS A DEADLY COCKTAIL OF ALCOHOL,
TRANQUILIZERS AND BARBITURATES,
CONSIDER THESE FACTS ABOUT PROBLEM DRINKING IN
AMERICA:
THE NINE PERCENT OF OUR POPULATION WHO DRINK MOST
HEAVILY CONSUME 60 PERCENT OF THE ALCOHOL,
THERE ARE, IT IS ESTIMATED, NINE TO TEN MILLION
ADULT PROBLEM DRINKERS AMONG US: MORE THAN TWO
MILLION OF THEM WOMEN; A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THEM
ELDERLY.
. LAST YEAR, IN ADDITION, MORE THAN THREE MILLION
TEENAGERS HAD PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM DRINKING,
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AT LEAST ONE THIRD OF ALL HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS ARE
RELATED TO PROBLEM DRINKING, AND THE PERCENTAGE MAY BE
HIGHER. INDEED, IN SOME AREAS ALCOHOL ABUSE IS THE LEADING
CAUSE OF HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS.
SEVEN PERCENT OF THE NATION'S ADULT POPULATION ARE
PROBLEM DRINKERS. THAT PERCENTAGE, APPLIED IN THE WORLD OF
OUR DAILY EXPERIENCE, MEANS THAT THE PROBLEM IS EVERYWHERE:
IF A COMPANY HAS 1,000 EMPLOYEES, IT MEANS 70 OF ITS WORKERS
MAY HAVE DRINKING PROBLEMS.
SO, THE PROBLEM IS NOT "OUT THERE;" IT IS IN OUR MIDST.
IT TOUCHES VIRTUALLY EVERY AMERICAN NEIGHBORHOOD, EVERY
OFFICE, AND EVERY FAMILY. THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT JUST LIVE
ON SKID Row, IT LIVES ON MAIN STREET.
IT IS A MYTH, FINALLY, THAT PROBLEM DRINKING IS A DEAD
END, AN INSOLUBLE DILEMMA.
QUITE THE CONTRARY: THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW
THAT ALCOHOLISM IS A DISEASE THAT CAN BE SUCCESSFULLY
TREATED.
IF WE FACE IT SQUARELY.
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IF WE FOCUS PROPERLY ALL OUR DIVERSE RESOURCES:
FEDERAL PROGRAMS, STATE AND LOCAL EFFORTS, AND THE WORK
OF MILLIONS OF VOLUNTEERS.
IF WE CARE ENOUGH.
FOR THE PAST TWELVE MONTHS, WE AT HEW HAVE BEEN AT
WORK TO DEVELOP A MAJOR NEW INITIATIVE IN THIS FIELD:
TO BRING NEW ENERGY, NEW RESOURCES, AND NEW DIRECTION
TO ALL OUR EFFORTS AGAINST ALCOHOLISM. TODAY I CAN
ANNOUNCE TO YOU THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THAT INITIATIVE.
I. SPECIAL TARGET PROBLEMS AND POPULATIONS
.FIRST: WE WILL LAUNCH NEW EFFORTS AIMED AT SPECIFIC
POPULATION GROUPS AND PROBLEM AREAS.
ALCOHOL ABUSE IS A SERIOUS DANGER TO TEENAGERS. THE
NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO ADMIT BEING INTOXICATED
AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH NEARLY DOUBLED BETWEEN 1966 AND 1975,
FROM 10 TO 19 PERCENT.
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ALCOHOL-RELATED ACCIDENTS ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF
DEATHS IN ThE 15 TO 24 YEAR AGE GROUP; THEY ACCOUNT FOR
MORE THAN 8,000 DEATHS PER YEAR. IN ADDITION, MORE THAN
40,000 YOUNG PEOPLE ARE HURT EVERY YEAR IN DRINKING AND
DRIVING ACCIDENTS -- MANY OF THEM CRIPPLED, PARALYZED, OR
OTHERWISE DISABLED FOR LIFE.
TO DEAL WITH PROBLEM DRINKING AMONG TEENAGERS AND
YOUNG PEOPLE:
0 WE ARE REQUESTING A FOURFOLD BUDGET INCREASE
IN FISCAL 1980 FROM $2.8 MILLION TO $12.5
MILLION FOR EDUCATION, PREVENTION, TREATMENT
AND RESEARCH.
WE WILL DEVELOP AND FUND FIVE COMPREHENSIVE
ALCOHOLISM PREVENTION PROJECTS, TARGETED AT
750,000 YOUNG PEOPLE, WITH THE HELP OF THE
BOY SCOUTS, GIRL SCOUTS, CATHOLIC YOUTH
ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHERS.
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? IN COOPERATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION, THE NATIONAL MEDIA,
AND WITH THE HELP OF THE ALCOHOL
BEVERAGE INDUSTRY, WE WILL LAUNCH AN
INFORMATION CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE
SENSIBLE ATTITUDES TOWARD DRINKING
AMONG THE 40 MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE AGE
15 TO 24. THIS PROGRAM WILL EMPHASIZE
AUTO SAFETY; WE MUST REDUCE THE CARNAGE
ON THIS NATIONS HIGHWAYS.
WE WILL ALSO FOCUS SPECIAL ATTENTION ON THE
GROWING PROBLEM OF ALCOHOLISM AMONG WOMEN.
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IN MY VISITS TO ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROJECTS
AROUND THE NATION, IT HAS STRUCK ME THAT TOO FEW
PROGRAMS HAVE FOCUSED ON WOMEN: UPON TREATMENT,
PREVENTION, TRAINING AND RESEARCH FOR THE SPECIAL
ALCOHOL-PROBLEMS OF WOMEN.
TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, WE ARE TRIPLING
THE FUNDS DEVOTED TO WOMEN. FOR FISCAL 1980, WE
ARE REQUESTING $11.35 MILLIONS
? To INCREASE RESEARCH INTO ALCOHOL
PROBLEMS AMONG WOMEN;
? TO EXPAND OUR SUPPORT FOR TREATMENT PROGRAMS;
? To LAUNCH A NATIONWIDE PROGRAM OF OUTREACH
AND EDUCATION ABOUT WOMEN AND ALCOHOLISM,
INVOLVING INDUSTRY, LABOR, VOLUNTARY
AGENCIES AND NATIONAL WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS.
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WE WILL DEVOTE NEW RESOURCES TO A TRAGIC OFFSHOOT OF
ALCOHOL ABUSE: FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME, THE THIRD LEADING
CAUSE OF BIRTH DEFECTS -- AND THE NUMBER ONE PREVENTABLE
CAUSE OF SUCH DEFECTS. LAST YEAR, ONE IN EVERY 2000
BABIES BORN HAD A PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT CAUSED
BY A MOTHER'S ALCOHOL INTAKE DURING PREGNANCY,
? WE WILL STEP UP OUR SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH
INTO THIS PROBLEM,
? WE WILL EXPAND OUR EFFORTS TO REACH POTENTIAL
PARENTS -- ESPECIALLY THE 48 MILLION AMERICAN
WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE -- WITH WARNINGS
ABOUT THE DANGERS OF ALCOHOL FOR UNBORN BABIES.
? To INSURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT SOME MEDICINES
CONTAIN CONSIDERABLE ALCOHOL, THE FDA WILL
LAUNCH PROCEEDINGS NEXT MONTH TO DETERMINE
WHETHER WARNING LABELS TO PREGNANT WOMEN AND
OTHERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED ON DRUGS WHICH
CONTAIN SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF ALCOHOL,
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WE WILL AIM NEW.EFFORTS ALSO AT ALCOHOL PROBLEMS
AMONG SEVERAL OTHER TARGET GROUPS: THE ELDERLY,
AMERICAN INDIANS, AND VETERANS, MAX CLELAND,'THE
ABLE HEAD OF THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION, HAS TOLD
US THAT ONE FOURTH OF THE PATIENTS IN VA HOSPITALS
ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY DRINK TOO MUCH.
II. IMPROVIr4C THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
SECOND: WE WILL USE OUR RESOURCES AND OUR
LEADERSHIP TO CHANGE THE NATION'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM:
TO HELP IT DO A BETTER JOB, FROM BEGINNING TO END,
IN DEALING WITH THIS PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM.
i WE NEED TO STEP UP OUR EFFORTS TO MAKE
TREATMENT OF ALCOHOLISM A STANDARD FEATURE
OF THE HEALTH CARE CURRICULUM. WE WILL
DEVOTE $2 MILLION TO 15 SPECIAL NEW PROGRAMS
IN MEDICAL SCHOOLS FOR TEACHING FUTURE DOCTORS
HOW TO TREAT ALCOHOLISM.. AND WE WILL SEEK WAYS
TO IMPROVE CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE FIELD
OF ALCOHOLISM FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS.
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? WE WILL REQUIRE ALL FEDERALLY-QUALIFIED
HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE
DIAGNOSTIC AND REFERRAL SERVICES ON AN
INPATIENT OR OUTPATIENT BASIS TO THEIR
MEMBERS WHO ARE ALCOHOLICS OR ALCOHOL ABUSERS.
i AT PRESENT, UNDER MEDICARE AND MEDICAID,
ALCOHOLISM SERVICES EITHER ARE NOT COVERED,
OR ARE PROVIDED ONLY IN COSTLY, ACUTE CARE
SETTINGS LIKE HOSPITAL WARDS. I HAVE THEREFORE
DIRECTED THE HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRA-
TION TO REVIEW ITS POLICIES. HCFA WILL DEVOTE
$1 MILLION TO DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS TO PROVIDE
ALCOHOLISM SERVICES IN NEW, LESS EXPENSIVE
AND MORE EFFECTIVE WAYS. AND HCFA WILL REVIEW
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID RULES IN AN ATTEMPT TO
COVER SUCH SERVICES ON A BROADER BASIS.
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? WE WILL WORK ALSO WITH PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE
COMPANIES -- TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO OFFER BROADER
COVERAGE OF ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT. SOME OF THE
LEADING COMPANIES IN THE HEALTH INSURANCE
FIELD ARE ALREADY MOVING ON THIS FRONT. I
RECENTLY SPOKE ABOUT THIS WITH THE PRESIDENT
OF THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY, WHICH
.HAS JUST EXPANDED ITS COVERAGE OF ALCOHOL-RELATED
PROBLEMS. AETNA LIFE AND CASUALTY HAS ALSO
BEEN AN INNOVATOR IN THIS AREA. I COMMEND THESE
COMPANIES FOR THEIR VISION AND THEIR GOOD BUSINESS
SENSE -- FOR TOGETHER WE HAVE LEARNED THAT BETTER
COVERAGE HELPS DIRECT PEOPLE TO THE MOST APPROPRIAT
TREATMENT CENTERS, WHERE OFTEN THEY CAN GET THE
EARLIEST, MOST EFFECTIVE, LEAST COSTLY HELP.
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0 WE MUST LEARN WHAT COMBINATION OF SKILLS AND
TRAINING MAKES FOR THE BEST ALCOHOL COUNSELORS
AND OTHER WORKERS IN THIS FIELD. ACCORDINGLY,
WE WILL LAUNCH A NEW RESEARCH PROGRAM TO ANSWER
THAT QUESTION. WHEN WE HAVE DONE THAT, WE WILL
SEEK A MAJOR COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES FOR WHAT
THIS FIELD SO URGENTLY NEEDS: TRAINING PROGRAMS
TO DEVELOP SKILLED PROFESSIONALS.
III NEW EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH COMBINATION ABUSE
THIRD: WE WILL TAKE MAJOR NEW STEPS TO PROTECT THE
PUBLIC AGAINST THE SPECIAL DANGERS OF COMBINING ALCOHOL
WITH OTHER DRUGS. IN OUR HEAVILY-MEDICATED SOCIETY, IN
WHICH MILLIONS OF PRESCRIPTIONS FOR TRANQUILIZERS,
BARBITURATES, AND PAIN RELIEVERS ARE DISPENSED EACH
YEAR, PEOPLE ARE NOT ALWAYS AWARE JUST WHAT DRUGS THEY
ARE TAKING; TOO OFTEN DOCTORS MAY NOT TAKE TIME TO CONSIDER
ALL THE DIFFERENT DRUGS THEIR PATIENTS ARE TAKING; SOMETIMES
SLEEPING PILLS, TRANQUILIZERS, DARVON OR OTHERS ARE GIVEN
TO AN ALCOHOLIC PATIENT -- AND ALL TOO SOON1 A COMBINATION
ABUSER IS CREATED.
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SO WE ARE INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DANGERS
OF ALCOHOL USED IN COMBINATION WITH CERTAIN OTHER
DRUGS, ESPECIALLY SEDATIVES AND TRANQUILIZERS. THIS
"COMBINATION ABUSE" CAN KILL--AND DOES KILL--THOUSANDS
OF PEOPLE EACH YEAR.
TO DEAL WITH COMBINATION ABUSE:
i THE SURGEON GENERAL WILL ISSUE A SPECIAL
ADVISORY TO ALL PHYSICIANS IN THE, NATION
WARNING THEM OF THE DANGERS OF COMBINATION USE
OF ALCOHOL AND CERTAIN DRUGS. WE WILL URGE
THEM TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF DRUGS DISPENSED
WITH EACH PRESCRIPTION, AND TO MONITOR
CAREFULLY PRESCRIPTIONS TO PATIENTS WHO
MAY HAVE ALCOHOL PROBLEMS$
i I HAVE ASKED THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
TO PROVIDE ME, WITHIN 60 DAYS, WITH A LIST OF
THOSE COMMONLY PRESCRIBED DRUGS THAT MAY PRESENT
HEALTH HAZARDS WHEN USED WITH ALCOHOL, AND FOR
WHICH NEW LABEL WARNINGS MAY BE NEEDED. AMONG
THOSE COMMON DRUGS ARE SEDATIVES SUCH AS
BARBITURATES,AND TRANQUILIZERS LIKE VALIUM
AND LIBRIUM.
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? THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WILL PUBLISH
WARNINGS ON THE DANGERS OF COMBINING ALCOHOL
WITH SPECIFIC DRUGS IN ITS DRUG BULLETIN
WHICH IS WIDELY READ AMONG HEALTH PROFESSIONALS;
IT WILL ALSO PUBLISH SUCH INFORMATION IN THE
BROADLY-CIRCULATED FDA CONSUMER MAGAZINE.
IV WORK-BASED ALCOHOLISM PROGRAMS
FOURTH: WE HAVE LEARNED THAT ONE OF THE MOST
EFFECTIVE SETTINGS FOR IDENTIFYING AND TREATING PROBLEM
DRINKERS IS AT WORK. DRINKING PROBLEMS SURFACE EARLY IN
THE FORM OF PROBLEMS AT WORK -- AND MOST EMPLOYEES TAKE
PRIDE IN THEIR WORK AND WANT TO KEEP THEIR JOBS. YET
THESE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE TO LESS THAN 20 PERCENT OF
THE NATIONS WORKERS. SO THE THIRD MAJOR ELEMENT OF OUR
NEW INITIATIVE WILL BE WORK-BASED ALCOHOLISM PROGRAMS,
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! THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION WILL PUBLISH
WARNINGS ON THE DANGERS OF COMBINING ALCOHOL
WITH SPECIFIC DRUGS IN ITS DRUG BULLETIN
WHICH IS WIDELY READ AMONG HEALTH PROFESSIONALS;
I T WILL ALSO PUBLISH SUCH INFORMATION I N THE
BROADLY-CIRCULATED FDA CONSUMER MAGAZINE.
IV WORK-BASED ALCOHOLISM PROGRAMS
FOURTH: WE HAVE LEARNED THAT ONE OF THE MOST
EFFECTIVE SETTINGS FOR IDENTIFYING AND TREATING PROBLEM
DRINKERS IS AT WORK. DRINKING PROBLEMS SURFACE EARLY IN
THE FORM OF PROBLEMS AT WORK -- AND MOST EMPLOYEES TAKE
PRIDE IN THEIR WORK AND WANT TO KEEP THEIR JOBS, YET
THESE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE TO LESS THAN 20 PERCENT OF
THE NATIONS WORKERS. SO THE THIRD MAJOR ELEMENT OF OUR
NEW INITIATIVE WILL BE WORK-BASED ALCOHOLISM PROGRAMS,
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? WE WILL BEGIN BY PUTTING OUR OWN HOUSE IN
ORDER HERE IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WE
INTEND TO MAKE HEWS OWN EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM A MODEL BY INCREASING SUPPORT FOR IT
SIXFOLD, FROM $250,000 To $1.45 MILLION. AND
WE WILL HELP OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES BUILD
BETTER PROGRAMS OF THEIR OWN. I AM WRITING TO
CABINET SECRETARIES AND OTHER AGENCY HEADS TO
ENLIST THEIR SUPPORT FOR THESE PROGRAMS, AND
WE ARE ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL UNIT AT t1IAAA
TO ASSIST THEM IN THESE EFFORTS.
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? WE ARE TAKING THE LEAD IN HELPING THE PRIVATE
SECTOR EXTEND THE REACH OF EMPLOYEE ALCOHOLISM
PROGRAMS. I AM SENDING A LETTER TO THE HEADS
OF THE NATION'S 500 LARGEST CORPORATIONS AND TO
THE LEADERS OF THE MAJOR UNIONS, ENCOURAGING
THEM TO FOLLOW THE OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP OF
GEORGE MEANY AND .JIM ROCHE, WHOM YOU WILL HONOR
TODAY, IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH OR IMPROVE
THE NATIONS WORK-BASED ALCOHOLISM PROGRAMS.
S I AM ALSO WRITING TO THE. NATION'S GOVERNORS,
URGING THOSE WITHOUT EMPLOYEE ALCOHOLISM PROGRAMS
TO ESTABLISH THEM, AND ASKING THOSE WHO HAVE
PROGRAMS TO TAKE A PERSONAL INTEREST IN IM-
PROVING THEM. I AM WRITING A SIMILAR LETTER TO
THE MAYORS OF OUR 40 LARGEST CITIES.
? AND WE WILL CONVENE THIS FALL A NATIONAL CONFERENCE
ON OCCUPATIONAL ALCOHOLISM PROGRAMS, TO WHICH WE
ARE INVITING A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
EMPLOYERS, LABOR LEADERS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCY
LEADERS. THE CONFERENCE WILL PROVIDE A FORUM
FOR THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND TECHNIQUES.
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IN ALL THESE WAYS AND MANY MORE AS TIME GOES ON,
WE ARE SHARPENING OUR EFFORTS TO HELP YOU TO HELP
OTHERS. IN THIS EFFORT, THE INSCRIPTION ON THE SEAL
OF HEW HAS ESPECIALLY POIGNANT MEANING: IT TRANSLATES,
"HOPE IS THE ANCHOR OF LIFE."
IN EVERY ONE OF THESE EFFORTS, I AM ACUTELY AWARE
OF HOW LITTLE GOVERNMENT CAN DO AND HOW MUCH YOU CAN
DO. GOVERNMENT, AFTER ALL, CAN ONLY LEND SUPPORT TO YOU
AND YOUR COLLEAGUES: ESPECIALLY TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
OF VOLUNTEERS, MANY OF THEM RECOVERED ALCOHOLICS THEMSELVES,
WHO ARE WORKING HEROICALLY TO CONTAIN THIS DISEASE.
I AM AWARE ALSO THAT THE MAJORITY OF RECOVERED ALCOHOLI
HAVE BEEN LED BACK TO HEALTH BY AN ORGANIZATION CALLED
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS. AA, ALANON AND ALATEEN HAVE EXTENDED
HOPE AND HELP TO MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, AND THEY DESERVE
OUR THANKS.
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OUR ROLE IS TO SUPPORT, NOT SUPPLANT, YOUR EFFORTS.
BUT WE IN GOVERNMENT CAN DO A GREAT DEAL TO HELP. YE
CAN SUPPORT PROGRAMS OF RESEARCH THAT LEAD TO MORE EFFECTIVE
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION EFFORTS. WE CAN LEND ASSISTANCE
TO PROGRAMS AT THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL. !'!E CAN PROVIDE
A CLEARING-HOUSE'FOR INFORMATION AND IDEAS. WE CAN HELP
TRAIN THE PEOPLE -- THE COUNSELORS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE NEEDED SO DESPERATELY TO WORK IN THIS FIELD.
WE CAN DO IT -- AND WE ARE GOING TO DO IT.
IT IS TO GIVE YOU THAT ASSURANCE -- AND TO GIVE
YOU, ON BEHALF OF THE NATION, OUR HEARTFELT THANKS --
THAT I HAVE COME HERE TODAY.
THANK YOU.
00#
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