The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1901-05-08
OPIUM-A MENACE.

and many more will be added as the
time goes along. There has always
been a division of opinion upon the
question of opium using. One set of
thinkers believed that it was wise to
throw open the door by means of a
license and allow every one to do as
much opium smoking as he wished. 1t
was never contemplated by even these
revenue-from- advocates that
women would take to the use of opium.
The other set of thinkers believed that
a strict prohibition law on opium was
the only method by which certain por-
tions of the population could be pro-
tected, and up to the present they have
succeeded in protecting that portion
of the populations The wide open ex-
pertinent is now being tried.
If the use of opium could have been
confined to the race that is supposed to
be most addicted to the habit, there
would never have been any objection
to an opium license. But it never could
be confined to that one race. Expert
ence has taught those who give any
thought to such matters that the opium
habit is readily. acquired by primitive
races, and that it has attractions for
Hawaiians, which it is almost impos-
sible to combat. Some twenty years
ago opium was beginning 10 make Sc
rious inroads into the Hawaiian race,
but those who have guarded the
race for sixty or seventy years, We're
able to fight the demon and turn it's
baleful influence aside
OF all the many vices which man is
addicted to, the vice of opium smoking
is probably the most disas .rous. Other
vices bring ruin at times upcn families
but there is always hope Of reform, and
a rebuilding up of the ruined home and
the broken life. In the case Of the
opium smoker there is neye, any hope
of reform. Once the fatal tolls Of the
insinuating drug close round the VIC
tim, there is never the slightesc cnanca
of a change. 1t is opium opium IN ever
increasing doses, till the grave opens
for the unfortunate dey tee Of this most
pernicious poison.
Up to the present we have been able
to keep the drug from the mass of the
people. We can no longer do so. The
law no longer gives power to arrest for
the possession of opium, and it will be
and is free for any one who pleases Il
use the drug in whatever quantity he
or she may please.
1t is true that during the period of
prohibition of opium, a considerable
quantity was smuggled into the islands
but the trouble and the risk made the
drug dear, and this kept it from going
into general use among others than the
most inveterate smokers. Now, with
out restriction, the drug is cheap. and
the opium dens are springing up in all
directions. In very short time there
will not be a spot on the Islands that
has not its opium joint.
What has prevented, in great mea.
sure, the use of opium dens Throughout
the Territory has been the certainty. If
the Celestial mind, that though there
was a loophole in the law for a time. if
was pound to be closed as soon as the
Legislature got together. Therefore
argued the Cinnamon, though we can
nave a pretty good time among oursel.
YES, and may in the words of Ingolds-
by's Sacristan put our thumbs unto
our nose and spread our fingers OUT
as far as the police are concerned, still
IL is not wise to go too far into the
business, because we have been there
before, and we have been cinchd on a
promise before. 1t is wise to go slow,
such, in all probability, has been the
position of the would be keeper of the
opium den. Eut he is working UP to
the idea, that the law has given him
a loop hole fer couple of years at
least. Once safe on this ground and
opium joints viii spring up in all direc-
tions. The position is far more serious
than many people have any idea of.
The fatal effects of the opium habit are
not patent to the general public of this
Territory. 1t REQUIRES a more intimate
knowledge of the inner life of a people
than nine out Of ten people possess.
But that the menace of opium is more
malignant than probably any other
vice, people who know will readily
vOuch.
1t is the duty of newspaper to sound
the word of alarm when some danger
menaces the community which supports
1t. In the free use of opium there is
need to be alarmed. The drink question
which occupies so much attention
among our prominent and advanced
thinkers, is not in it to use a collooui-
alism) beside the opium question. What
course shall the community pursue.
How shall it meet question, which like
everything of value the late legislature
failed to legislate upon The omen
opium joints ought to be stopped, the
speard Of the opium habit among Ha-
waiians and Caucasians should be
checked and checked at once but how
is this crisis to be met? There is food
for very serious thought in the above
remarks, and those who love the ISL
4 IL.