Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: A New Era in an Old Campaign

Abstract

On May 14, 1974 the President signed into law the Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974. This legislation renews and extends the Federal commitment to the fight against alcoholism. This article reviews the major provisions of the Act and suggests how it can be implemented.

The Amendments incorporate features of the Model Uniform Act with an incentive for their adoption by the States, an historic first. The essential features include decriminalizing the drunkenness offense and assuring adequate treatment for all alcoholic people. The Amendments also strongly rule out discrimination against alcoholic people and protect the confidentiality of records.

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References

Chafetz

M. E.

Promoting human dignity. Paper presented at the Fourth Annual Conference of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Washington, D.C., June 12, 1974.

Chafetz

M. E.

Remarks. White House Press Conference, Official Transcript, May 14, 1974.

Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1974. P.L. 93–282, 93rd Congress, May 14, 1974.

Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act of 1970. P.L. 91–616, 91st Congress, December 31, 1970.

Uniform Alcoholism and Intoxication Treatment Act Committee Print, prepared for Subcommittee on Alcoholism and Narcotics of the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. United States Senate, October 1973, GPO No. 22-095 0.