Editorial : alcohol addiction in Gozo

Abstract

A small semi-rural island is usually spared the uglier sights of big cities where derelicts sleep in the open air through summer and winter, and where all the undesirable side-effects of excessive alcohol consumption are only too obvious. But is the picture in Gozo such a rose one, or are we merely ignoring a major problem? Such a complacent self-assessment has received a jolt recently as a result of a report on the 'addiction problem' in Gozo, carried out by OASI Tertiary Prevention and Treatment Co-ordinator, Mr Noel Xerri ( See oasi.com, May -August 2001). In this survey, 1010 families chosen at random were questioned about their drinking and drug-taking habits. In each case, a member of the family reported on the situation within the family. The results, according to the investigators are worrying.