HALF-WAY HOUSES AND ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS FOR WOMEN ALCOHOLICS

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Community Development and Sports (a) what capacity-building resources are identified to curb increasing alcohol consumption among young women; (b) what intervention and treatment strategies can be developed to help families cope with alcoholic members; and (c) whether it is appropriate for his Ministry to facilitate the setting up of Alcoholics Anonymous for Women and to fund the setting up of half-way houses for women under the influence of multiple substance abuse.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: The Ministry of Health's National Health Survey 1998 found that there has not been any significant change in the prevalence of drinking among young women. In 1998, 72.4% of women were non-drinkers. Of the remaining 27.6% who drank, only 0.8% drank on a regular basis. Among those who drank regularly, ie, more than 4 days per week, 0.5% were women aged 18-29 years. Capacity-building resources to curb increasing alcohol consumption among young women

Whilst alcohol consumption among young women does not appear to be an increasing trend, nevertheless MCDS, together with other government agencies, volunteers and community groups will highlight alcoholism as an anti-social behaviour. This would be done through our regular talks and group sessions for youths, which are held to teach them to resist peer pressure and to practise responsible behaviour.

Community groups also play an important role. For example, Project Access, a non-profit social enterprise runs programmes in schools and community organisations which seek to teach girls aged 13-16 years and young women leadership skills, personal effectiveness and professional development. The acquisition of positive life-skills is important to counter negative habits such as drinking and smoking.

What intervention and treatment strategies can be developed to help families cope with alcoholic members

The treatment for alcoholics comes under the care of Ministry of Health. For example, the Alcohol Treatment Centre (ATC) in Woodbridge Hospital (WH) has in place a counselling and support group for families with alcoholic members. Besides the ATC, private hospitals like Adam Road Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Hospital also offer detoxification and rehabilitation programmes for persons with a drinking problem.

MCDS assists families who are affected as a result of an alcoholic member in the family. For example, temporary shelter for families from an abusive drunkard, funding of crisis shelters which provide temporary refuge, counselling and support. Families facing financial difficulties as a result of the breadwinner's drinking problem get help from MCDS, Family Service Centres and Community Development Councils, eg, interim financial assistance and care for the child's well-being. More importantly, MCDS will help family members to develop life-skills to care for themselves and their children and educate them on the steps that they could take if their spouse refuses to seek treatment for the drinking problem.

The appropriateness for MCDS to set up Alcoholics Anonymous for Women and to fund the setting up of half-way houses for women under the influence of multiple substance abuse

As WH already has in place an existing framework for the intervention and treatment for recovering alcoholics and their families, MCDS would not want to duplicate this. Currently there are two half-way houses for women under MHA. One of them has a specific programme to help recovering addicts cope with their drinking problem. This half-way house is also open to members of the public.

Government will continue to monitor the extent of alcohol consumption among young women and men. comparison - COMPARISON OF HYDE PARK'S SPEAKERS' CORNER AND SINGAPORE'S SPEAKERS' CORNER AT HONG LIM PARK (Cols. 77-80) map - SPEAKERS' CORNER AT HONG LIM PARK (Cols. 81-82)