SHE'S DRUNK - "SHE OUGHT TO BE FIRED"

Picture a drunk.

Chances are the first image to pop into your mind is that of a male staggering along a street. His condition may draw scant attention, apart from a glance or two of pity. Perhaps, even, if the locale is an office party, the major reaction will be an amused smile or two from those around him.

Picture a female drunk. There's instant reaction, Scorn, disgust. Society seems to permit a man to get drunk now and then without banishment to a lower social order. Society does not, however, tolerate a drunk woman.

They cluck over a drunk fellow friend; "poor Charlie". "He may have a personal problem, driving him to drink like that". "Maybe it's the job pressure." "I hear that his wife is a chronic complainer". "Everyone knows what money worries can do to a guy....". Any excuse is good enough to pardon Charlie his occasional affair with the bottle. I

f the drunk's name is Charlene, it's a whole new ball game. If she is intoxicated, even once, she can hope for little mercy from her peers. Certainly, no understanding. Look at her - isn't that disgusting?". "....just like a common tramp." "She ought to be fired.....". And so on.

Men have been excused more quickly for their drinking indiscretions - perhaps because it's always been assumed it is the man who has to face life's major responsibilities.

Until recently the male has been the major breadwinner in the family unit. Women, it was accepted, may have started to take to the wine or whisky glass out of sheer boredom, in reaction to their roles as lonely, forgotten housewives.

Well, the role of the female has been changing. Charlie may no longer be the sole -, even the major breadwinner. Women have new challenges in the business world and face new responsibilities. They now face the same problems that once bugged only the Charlies: mortgage payments, children's educations - you know them all.

There are also a lot of opportunities out there to enjoy casual drinks with office friends, customers with peers over lunch, or after 5. It is a sobering thought that over the past few years, more and more women are becoming dependent on alcohol of one form or another. A woman tries hard to cover up. She may be more expert than Charlie for a while. But sooner or later, someone is going to notice the obvious.

The effects of the addiction will make themselves known in a slow but steady deterioration of thinking ability and performance. You may be saying to yourself: "This has nothing to do with me. I drink a little but I never get drunk". Very commendable. But if you drink a little every day, you have a problem. Once the system sets up any degree of dependency on alcohol, related systems often will begin to plague us: sleeplessness, depression, anxiety, nervousness, the whole bag.

About then, we may feel inclined to treat these unpleasant developments with daily doses of pills. Once this happens - the pills, along with with the daily drinks, will rapidly end any semblance of dignity the drinker has feft.

Results can be deadly. Often ARE deadly. No one can help a problem drinker. He or she has to want to do something about the drink problem. We can, however, examine our own personal problems and habits, can honestly admit it if alcohol is a burden in our lives or becoming a problem.

If a drink at lunch has become a daily necessity, or if we think we have more fun at a party if we have a belt or two before we go, we have a problem. We should seek professional help at once.

Alcoholism is an illness. It can sneak up and take hold almost before we are aware of it. If alcoholism among females continues to increase, the long range effects can destroy much of what women have been striving to achieve in a so-called man's world.

We are not going to be able to plot any kind of successful future if our minds are befuddled. That is for sure.

QUOTED FROM CANADIAN SECRETARY

DON says: Boy is this true!! We put our mothers, daughters, female friends and lovers on a pedestal just a little higher than anyone else. We tend to forget that they are human also, and have the same cares, stresses, worries that men have. We must learn to watch for the signs of drinking by our loved ones - depression, nervousness and so on. Only with this knowledge can we help them if they are afflicted with alcoholism. Good luck and give them a kiss for me!