The Michigan Daily-Wednesday, May 2, 1979-Page 13 HEW tofight alcoholism in women, youths WASHINGTON (AP) - Millions of women and teen-agers whose drinking problems often are overlooked or ignored will be the target of a new government drive against alcohol abuse. Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) Secretary Joseph Califano, Jr., unveiled plans yesterday to seek $22 million for research, training, preven- tion, and treatment efforts aimed at those two groups. Califano said he wanted to dispel the myth that alcoholism cannot be treated and that the typical problem drinker is a middle-aged man headed for Skid Row." AN ESTIMATED nine million to 10 million American adults have drinking problems, or seven per cent of the en- tire population, and two million of them are women, often elderly women, Califano said. And more than three million youths have experienced problems at home, school or on the highways from bouts with drinking. "The problem is not 'out there', it is in our midst. It touches virtually every American neighborhood, every office, every family," Califano told the National Council on Alcoholism. "This problem does not just live on Skid Row, it lives on Main Street." He recited estimates from HEW's National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in a report to Congress last fall that drinking kills 100,000 Americans and costs society more than $40 billion annually. HEWS ALCOHOLISM agency already has a budget of $118 million. It- new $22 million drive would include: * Funding for new treatment programs for women, who have been under-represented in traditional programs geared to men. " More warnings to the 48 million American women of child-bearing age about the danger of excessive drinking during pregnancy. " HEW will consider expanding Medicare and Medicaid coverage for alcoholism treatment, and will fund $1 million in demonstration projects to provide treatment outside of hospitals. * The surgeon general and the Food and Drug Administration will issue new warnings about the dangers of mixing alcohol with certain drugs. * Special prevention projects will be aimed at 750,000 youngsters with the help of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other groups. Sleep aid ingredient may WASHINGTON (AP) - The gover- National Cancer Institute (NCI). nment indicated yesterday it may soon ban the active ingredient commonly AMONG THE over-the-counter drugs used in non-prescription sleep aids containing methapyrilene are Compoz, following an expert panel's finding that Cope, Excedrin P.M., Nervine, Nytol, the ingredient is a potent carcinogen in Quiet World, and Sominex. animals and "a potential human The Food and Drug Administration hazard." (FDA), last year proposed that the The panel of the Clearinghouse on chemical be removed from sleep aids, Environmental Carcinogens concluded but never put the ban into effect, said the substance, methapyrilene, caused the findings of the study would be con- liver cancer in one laboratory study sidered when they are submitted in and already has been responsible for writing. the deaths of nearly a fifth of the rats in FDA spokesman Wayne Pines said, another test still in progress. "When we see the data that were The tests are sponsored by the presented today, we will evaluate them " With the help of the alcohol beverage industry, a new publicity campaign will be launched urging the 40 million Americans aged 15 to 24 not to drive after drinking. His praise for the industry is in sharp contrast to his frequent attacks on cigarette manufacturers for adver- tising he contends is geared to convince youngsters to start smoking. Califano quit smoking four years ago, but he is a social drinker. be banned quicky." He added that if the agency concludes methapyrilene poses a health hazard, the agency will take "ap- propriate action" to remove it from all products. THE PROPRIETARY Association, the trade association representing the manufacturers of non-prescription medicines, said in a statement: "The ... manufacturers are confident that methapyrilene is safe at recom- mended doses in man. They are, never- theless, examining NCI animal tests together with other scientific evidence and will act according to that evidence and in the public interest." THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SPEED READING Cut your reading time. Get out from under the pressure of heavy read- ing assignments. Learn strategies that help you focus on the most im- portant points while reading for general information. Most partici- pants have found they can at least double their reading speed while maintaining or improving their com- prehension. This class offers the benefits of both individual attention and group in- teraction. Enrollment is open to all University faculty, staff and students. SPEED READING & STUDY SKILLS Improve your grades by learning how to use your textbook, lecture notes and time effectively. This course is designed for those who want to develop efficient study habits. Students will learn speed reading withg eneral and text rhate- rial and reading skills that can be applied to a wide range of subjects. WRITER'S WORKSHOP The workshop offers 3 areas of in- struction: 1) Academic Writing--the process and skills involved in writing aca- demic papers. 2) Basic Skills Lab-individualized program designed for those who want to strengthen their basic writ- ing skills. 3) Research Paper Writing-Plan- ning, researching, and writing pa- pers using library sources. Classes meet 6 consecutive weeks. Days & Times available at registration. HOW MUCH? $25.00 (payable by. check only) (We folow *u of M refund policy) WHEN? Registration Today & Tomorrow 8:00 AM-4:00 PM WHERE? 1610 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor (near Hill St.) Phone:764-9481 The University of Michigan READING and LEARNING SKILLS CENTER Y i.aRowena Wilhelm, Ph.DDirector .-p - - "> > r> Y n . i F R ... .. . . L " . . . . . x3r iA3 The University of Michigan Reading& Leaming Skills Center -------------------------------- --------------------