David,
 
You got the region right, but Kettil was actually Finnish, not Swedish!
 
The group's full name is "The Kettil Bruun Society for Social and
Epidemiological Research on Alcohol."  Its by-laws state:
 
"The objectives of the Society will be [to] promote social and
epidemiological research on alcohol and to foster a comparative
understanding of the social aspects of alcohol use and alcohol
problems.  The society will also promote the spirit of international
co-operation among and through its members."
 
I'm a member but beyond the above, things get a little fuzzy for me.
The KBS grew out of the Epidemiology Section of the ICAA, but the ICAA
still has an epidemiology subgroup--and, anyhow, the ICAA has been
joined by the ICADD in the international addictions organizations
playing field.  We need Robin Room to explain the intricacies of this
history.
 
The group does have a strong historical sensibility, fostered in part
by the fact that Robin edits the journal *Contemporary Drug Problems*
and CDP has become a semi-official outlet for KBS-related papers.  Or
maybe it's the official organ by now.  Again, we'll have to ask Robin.
 
Ron Roizen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You wrote:
>
>---------------------- Information from the mail header
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>Sender:       Alcohol and Temperance History Group
<[log in to unmask]>
>Poster:       David M Fahey <[log in to unmask]>
>Organization: Miami University
>Subject:      Re: Kettil Bruun Society
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
>
>Kettil Bruun was a Swedish sociologist who specialized in alcohol.  I
>don't know the details about the society named in his honor.  I
>presume that historical papers are in the minority at its meetings.
>
>David M. Fahey
>History Department
>Miami University
>Oxford, OH 45056-1618, USA
>tel. 513-529-5134
>FAX 513-529-3841
>e-mail: <[log in to unmask]>
>