European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 02, 1977, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 8 the stars and stripes thursday june 2, 1977 $32 billion a year Gao says alcohol s Cost to the nation a sobering report by Bob hover staff writer despite Federal efforts to quench Ameri Ca s thirst alcoholism is costing the nation j32 billion a year. This figure is the shocker in a general accounting office report that Calls for improved Federal and state programs to Deal with one of the country s most pervasive health problems. The Gao Points out that even with the 1970 creation of the National Institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism Niava. The consumption of alcohol has continued to increase at a faster rate than the popu lation. Production figures Are cited to support this Contention. Using statistics fur i960 and 1973 to Mea sure production trends wine marketed was up nearly 100 per cent while Beer brewed increased by More than go per cent during the same period the production of distilled spirits remains relatively unchanged. A National Institute on drug abuse study for 1975 Breaks Down the costs of Al Cohol abuse lost work production $12 billion. Health and medical expenses $10.3 billion. Motor vehicle accidents $8.3 billion alcohol programs and research $800 million criminal Justice systems 1600 Mil lion among those who suffer the most from alcohol abuse Are America s veterans three million of whom Are reported to be alcoholic by the veterans administration which operates alcohol treatment pro crams at 71 hospitals. The Gao refers to alcohol As the most abused drug in the . And compares it to cocaine heroin barbiturates and amphetamines As a mood changing substance. Alcohol abuse is a serious drug prob Lem in terms of the number of individuals affected Cost to society and damage to the body the report states. Although it ranks among the major National health threats along with cancer mental illness and heart disease alcohol abuse did not become a major health con Cern of the Federal government until 1970. When Niava was created to Deal com Pren sylvely with the the report says the average alcoholic person drinks it times As much As the average nonalcoholic. And it adds that 15 percent of the drinking population consumes about 60 per cent of the nationwide Survey conducted for the Niava lists 9 per cent of the population 18 years and above As heavy drinkers 18 per cent As moderate drinkers 31 per cent As Light drinkers and 42 per cent As abstainers or infrequent drinkers. Abstainers Are defined As those who drink less than once a month. Light drinkers Are identified in the a. Report As those who drink less than j1 an ounce of absolute alcohol a Day or ate drinkers As those who consume. An ounce but less than 1 ounce of ate. Alcohol and heavy drinkers As those Vul drink More than an ounce of absolute Alco-1 hoi a Day. The Survey equates an ounce of a sob alcohol with one to two cans of Beer pm i two glasses of wine or two to three shots t distilled spirits. The Gao report concludes that the National Effort to combat alcohol abuse hat been slow in developing and it urges to creased cooperation among responsible f Federal agencies and improved Federal and state programs. It further recommends that Congress explore the need for legislation that would require Fuller Hospital coverage of alcohol treatment. Next Arab might have to show . London a London has become a popular watering Hole for Oil Rich Arab princes but at least one of them living in chauffeur driven luxury at Clarid gos hotel was a phony. Scotland Yard said tuesday. He described himself As Prince Moham med bin Sultan of Abu Dahabi and report edly swindled posh West end shops out of thousands of pounds. We Don t know who he is. But we have reason to believe he is not who he said he said a Sci Island Yard spokesman. During his week Long con trick the impostor received a pecuniary advantage from Claridge by posing As an Arab the spokesman added. The London evening Standard said the Young Man was thought to be a teen Ager from East Dulwich. A working class District in South Londo among other things he nearly got away with jewelry Worth 641.000 pounds $109 million before Regent Street jewellers became suspicious the paper false identity was discovered when his chauffeur met another Driver who knew the real Crown Prince of Abu Dahabi. The evening Standard said the phony Prince ran up a Bill of 1.500 pounds �2.550 at Claridge the Plush Mayfair hotel which often hosts visiting celebrities and Royalty. Refi Earsa so test Public reaction passion play Given a new slant Oberammergau. Germany a a modernized version of the 300-year-old Oberammergau passion play will have six dress rehearsals in August in an Effort to find the most popular script for the 1980 production. A town Council spokesman said wednes Day that updated trial performances based on a script Benedictine father Ferdinand Kosner wrote in 1750 will be held aug. 13, 14, is and 19, 20, 21. Some of these will be open to the Public he s script unlike the 1860 rewrite by local roman Catholic priest Alois Dai Sonberger does not hold jews collectively responsible for the crucifixion of Christ. A feud erupted Over the two versions. When the play was last presented in 1970,jewish organizations called for an Audi ence Boycott because the town decided to stick with the controversial Daisenberger the jewish protests every one of the 100 All Day performances was a sell out in the auditorium the producers said. . Socialists reelect Zeidler As chairman Milwaukee Puli Frank p. Zeid ice. Former mayor of Milwaukee was re elected National chairman of the socialist party Usa at its convention in Milwaukee. Pc idler will hold the Post until the next party convention in two years. About so delegates attended the meeting. Hans Schwaighofer director of the 1980 production has been righting for years to get 4,700 residents of this woodcarver actor town to accept the 1750 Rosner ver Sion. He claims to have the support of the Young generation. The 17-member town Council wants prominent theater critics and residents to decide in a referendum or Survey what version they like Best before making 4 final decision for the 1980 production. The play dates from a 1632 pledge by the townspeople to present the portrayal of the death of Jesus every 10 years in thanksgiving for the end of an outbreak of plague. It is presented by a cast of 400 Acton chorus members and musicians who mint All be from Alpine Oberammergau. Tax picture Uncertain on overseas incomes by the fan and stripes the tax picture for americans who earned income overseas from non Federal sources May be changing once again. These citizens Many now eligible for rebates because of a change in tax Laws have been advised to hold off on filing amended forms As previously directed. According to capt Peter Duffy of the Usa Keur office of the judge advocate jag in Heidelberg the embassy at Bonn has received word that 1hs offices in the states May take Over the Job of Correct ing the returns. People who already have filed a 2555 tax form should Wail for a couple of weeks before filing an amended 1040-x form. We should have a final decision from irs on How the rebates Are to be handled by the Captain those who have not yet filed a return on income earned overseas Duffy advises use of the 2555 lax form for 1975. He also notes that those who claim foreign tax credit must itemize their deductions an that the tax forms Are available at local jag offices. President Carter signed a tax Cut Bill May 23 which revoked the Section of the lax Reform act of 1976 which reduced amount of excl Dable income earned Over seas from $20.000 to $15.000 in most cases. It s Only a year s reprieve but it s Esti mated that some families will realize a saving of $700 or so. This revoked part of the 1976 tax Reform act however will once again go into effect next tax year for income earned abroad after dec. 31,1976. Protest against Shah wearing masks with anti Shah slogans la italian and persian a Young iranian couple with their child attend a Rome Daws conference protesting alleged human rights violations in Iran the couple and other participants la to protest had just completed a til Day hunger strike. 25 7
