Atlanta Daily World

Clinic in Savannah has averaged 16, the Committee was informed by Charles B. Methvin, director of the Alcoholic Rehabilitation Service of the Georgia Department of Public Health. The daily patient load of 88 at the Georgian Clinic, he said, includes both day patients and resident patients on a seven day per week basis, compared to 73 for the same period last year.

More facilities are needed particularly for day patients, who come from within 50 miles of Atlanta. In addition to treating patients, the Clinic also consults with their families as part of therapy for the patients. Last month 162 members of families received consultation, Mr. Methvin said.

The Chatham Clinic, which operates on a five day per week basis, has adequate facilities at least for the next year, he said.

The Advisory Committee on Alcoholism is successor to the former Georgia Commission on Alcoholism and is generally composed of the same members. The new name was established by the General Assembly and became effective after transfer July 1 of the alcoholic program to the Department of Public Health.

The Committee's first meeting was held at the Department of Public Health, where the Committee heard reports on the organization and functions of the Department from Dr. John H. Venable, director, and Dr. S. C. Rutland, deputy director.

In other reports, Mr. Methvin said the Alcoholic Rehabilitation Service had received tentative approval of $69,000 per year for two years from the National Institute of Mental Health for a training program for senior medical residents. This would enable the Georgian Clinic to offer three months of training in alcoholic rehabilitation to three medical residents at a time for two years.