ISSUE 3 : Mar/Apr - 1977 - Australian Defence Force Journal

ETHANOL — THE 6th COLUMN? 49tarian considerations there are sound economicreasons for industrial leaders to recognise andsupport tested programmes of education andrecovery. Today many industries are facingthe problem on the assurance that it can bedetected and treated. There are strong indicationsthat Industry could provide one of thekey elements in a reversal of our present trends.The Defence IndustryAs an employer of a sizeable slice of thenational manpower we may regard the ArmedForces as an Industry. Like other industrieswe must be adversely affected by "Grog Strife".Ours is among the occupations listed as 'atrisk'. Consider some aspects of our industrialtradition - the 'Mess' system, the number ofalcohol sales points, lower prices, compulsoryattendance, and Peer Group Pressure.For officers and sergeants much of thisrelates to traditions deeply embedded in thecustoms of the Service, the requirements ofMess life and the alleged connection of suchwith "F sprit de Corps'. For the ordinarydigger, especially in the first months of Armylife, it may perhaps be more related to ourfailure to provide and educate him with anythingbetter to do with his 'off duty' time.This at least is a part of the problem that weshare with the whole of our society."There is nothing else to do" is a constantcry from the young soldier, a little lost in hisnew world and often very very lonely.One of the Good Things in LifeI think it was Dr Moon that I first hearduse this term, "one of the «ood thin«s in life",'and that is how I personally, as a user ofEthanol, want to view it.A social drug may have a place in helpingus to cope with the problems of life and withone another. But the advantage of such usemust be weighed against the adverse elfectsEthanol use is protected in many ways: Byits long historical connection with our culture;by its place in our social and economic structures;by the very fact that most of us areusers and tend to defend our habit. In theArmed Services this protection may go evendeeper.This article questions our protection of theuse of Ethanol. On the basis of fact it wouldappear to constitute a large part of the 6thColumn which strikes at the heart of that veryfitness and preparedness which is otherwiseproclaimed.QN li. The Author wishes to acknowledge thekindness and assistance of Dr Pat O'Neill andhis team in the 'Hunter Regional CommunityAddiction Service', and to the over 10,000Recruits and Infantry Corps Trainees whosequestions sent me in search of the truth.1NOTESA term used to describe any trouble related toEthanol use.- Or Everingham — when Minister of Health.Drew, Moon & Buchanan, Alcoholism in Industry.> ibid.Dr E\eiinghum — Australian Journal of Alcoholismanil Drug Dependence, Nov 75.,;Dr Moon, an acknowledged authority on Alcoholismin industry, at a Seminar at the University ofNewcastle.In the article entitled "Put Your Head in the Sand -- Here Comes Their Armour''which appeared in Issue No. 1 of this Journal (on November December 1976). it was stated(on page 34) that napalm bombs were available in RAAF storages.The Board of Management is advised by the Director-Cjeneral of Operational Requirements.RAAF. that this is not the case: the RAAF holds no napalm bombs or any othernapalm-type weapon.