“It’s Best to Know” - about alcohol - Pamphlet

It’s Best to Know… About Alcohol
Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Research Foundation | 1961
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

This is an original 1961 public-education booklet titled “It’s Best to Know… about alcohol,” published by the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario, an official Ontario government resource.

Produced during the period when public health agencies were shifting toward science-based education, this illustrated booklet presents a mid-century medical and social understanding of alcohol, its effects on the body, and the risks of misuse. The content is designed for a general audience and reflects the era’s emphasis on informed public opinion rather than prohibition or moral reform.

The booklet is notable for its striking illustrated format, using bold graphics, charts, and comic-style panels to explain topics such as:

• The history of alcohol use across civilizations

• Types of alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits)

• Blood-alcohol levels and physical effects

• Alcohol and digestion

• Alcohol as food or medicine

• Alcoholism and dependency

• Sources of help, including clinics, hospitals, social agencies, and Alcoholics Anonymous (with a printed Twelve Steps page)

The closing pages reinforce public-health messaging while acknowledging alcoholism as an illness and pointing readers toward community and recovery resources.

Publication Details

• Copyright © 1961 Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Research Foundation

• Published as a public service by the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario

• Address: 24 Harbord Street, Toronto 5, Canada

• Printed in Canada

• Government-issued educational material

Condition
Good vintage condition overall. Moderate age toning throughout, consistent with early 1960s paper stock. Covers show general wear and light staining. Interior pages are complete and intact with no missing pages. Staples present and holding well. No major tears. Please review all photos carefully for exact condition details.

Collector Notes
This is a strong example of early government-sponsored alcohol education, combining medical messaging, social history, and recovery resources in a visually engaging format. Scarcer than later mass-produced pamphlets and especially appealing to collectors of:

• Alcoholism and recovery history

• Mid-century public health ephemera

• AA-related and adjacent literature

• Illustrated educational booklets

A compelling snapshot of how alcohol, addiction, and recovery were presented to the public in the early 1960s.