Evening star., 1950-02-16
First Alcoholics
Sent 10 Clinic
For Treatment
6 of 70 Prisoners
Referred by Court
To New Center
By Ted Mcdowell

By Ted Mcdowell
For the first time in District
history, Municipal Court today
channeled drunks to an alcoholic
treatment center instead of a
penal institution.
This marked the official open
ing of the Districts long awaited
Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center.
1t is in the Weightman School
building, Twenty third and M
streets NV.
Six of 10 drunks arrested over
the week end were referred to the
alcoholic clinic this morning by
Judge Frank Myers. They were
chosen after members of the
clinic staff interviewed and tested
40 of the prisoners who volun-
teered for treatment.
AS part of the testing, the vol
unteers interpreted ink blots
flashed on a screen in the courts
cellblock.
Response Greater Than Expected.
DR.. Leopold E. WeXberg, clinic
director, said the response of the
prisoners-many still with hang
overs-was greater than he had
expected.
"One old man who obviously
had been drinking for many years
came up to me and said he
thought the clinic was a great
thing" DR.. WeXberg said.
About five persons a day will be
sent to the clinic from the court.
Clinic staff members will notify
the judge of drunk court of those
they have selected for treatment.
Then the judge can refer them to
the clinic on probation.
Opening Delayed.
Opening of the clinic, officially
known as the Alcoholic Rehabili-
tation Center. had been delayed
since September because of diff
culties in obtaining a staff and re-
modelling the school building. DR..
Wexberg said he is still looking
for an assistant director. A North
Carolina psychiatrist, who had
been approached in the subject,
has taken another job, DR.. Wex-
berg said today.
Clinic funds are provided by
increased liquor license fees.
Operation of the clinic began
officially at 8 am. today when Dr.
Wexberg and four of his staff
arrived at the Cellblock. The
prisoners marched from their cells
and sat down in a large room
Frank Feeny, chief social worker
at the clinic, explained the re-
Mobilization program. Then he
asked for volunteers. Seven of
the nine women prisoners in the
group were among the AZ who
volunteered.
Screening of the volunteers be-
gan as DR.. Wexberg flashed the
ink blots on wall. The prisoners
marked series of multiple choices
Of what they thought the blots
represented. Among the choices
were "a bug somebody stepped on"
or two bears rubbing noses" This
was the RorSchach test of emo
tions. DIR. Wexberg said this test
combined with personal interviews
will tell whether a person is fit for
rehabilitation.
Two Indicate Mental Trouble.
Two of those tested showed ex-
listing or impending mental dis
ease" DR.. Wexberg said, adding
that he has no authority to send
them to Gallinger Hospital for
mental treatment. He said, how
ever, that ordination between
the clinic and Gallinger will be
developed. The six selected after
the testing were to be sent to the
clinic for case history interviews
and physical examinations. Next
will come occupational and group
therapy and psychiatric treatment.
All treatment will be on an out
patient basis. If a patient is un-
cooperative he will be returned to
court.
Besides actual treatment, the
clinic will aid in finding jobs
and lodging for patients. The
clinic can treat about TO patients
at time now and the number
eventually will be increased to
about 80, DR.. Wexberg said.
About a fourth Of the patients
will be admitted as volunteers
other than from the courts.
Il am very happy over the way
things are going" DR.. Wexberg
said. "The clinic is good thing
But there should be an institution
where all alcoholics could be sent
rather than going to the Jail and
workhouse."
Londover Hills Legion Dance
The, Sunnybrook American Le-