About Alcoholism - Alcoholism Information, Research and Treatment

The rate of alcoholism in Puerto Rico may be the highest in the world. That is the view of Dr. Jose Abreu Elias, who has made extensive studies of the problem on the island. He told the Puerto Rican House of Representatives that there are nearly 200,000 alcoholics on the island. The official figure is 100,000. Dr. Fernando Cabrera of the Puerto Rico Medical Association informed the committee investigating the increase in alcoholism that the yearly per capita consumption of alcoholic beverages averages 30 to 40 gallons. The official figure--18.3 gallons--is accurate, he said, only "if you counted every baby and old person on the island." Both physicians recommended that new rehabilitation facilities be established in Ponce and Mayaguez.