The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-02
MAY INVESTIGATE
ALL DRUG STORES
Sweeping Inquiry Into Illicit
Sale Of Drugs Is Recon-
mended.
SECRETARY MILLER SILENT
DR.. Del arnette Gives Officer OF
State Pharmacy Board In
formation on Subject.

A State wide investigation OF the al
legged Illicit sale of liquor and drugs
by drug stores in all sections of Vir-
ginia is said to be projected as n result
of the publication OF the recent annual
report of DR.. J. s DeJarnette. super
intendent II the Western State Hospi-
tai. as published exclusively in The
Times Dispatch of November 81. In
that report the superintendent called
attention to the alarming increase in
the number OF insane patients suffering
from the effects OF drugs. Such wide
spread increase of the drug habit, he
indicated. could only be the result OF
a general disregard of the law regu-
lat."g the sale of drugs.
Secretary T. a. Miller, OF the State
Board of Pharmacy. last night declined
10 be interviewed on the subject, re-
fusing to state what action. If any.
the board would take in regard to the
charges or even TO give the date of its
next meeting. lie indicated his regret
that the matter should have any pub
LEFTY at all.
Confers With DeJarnette.
L. l.. Brandeis, field agent of the
State Board OF Pharmacy. was in Staun-
ton on Saturday in conference with
DR.. DeJarnette. who gave him intor-
nation at his disposal. Mr. Brandeis
spent yesterday in Harrisonburg. II is
learned that plans are on foot for
widespread inquiry into the alleged
practices OF many drug stores. which
investigation may result not only IN
prosecutions for violations OF the
liquor and drug acts. but also IN rev"-
cation of druggists licenses by the
State board.
DR.. DeJarnette was quoted after his
interview with Field Agent Brandeis
Saturday as being anxious for a gem
eral investigation of what he believes
10 be a fragrant abuse Of the law in
the sale of drugs and that the matter
be sifted 10 the bottom. His report
indicates that there has been decided
increase in the number OF patients ad-
mitted 10 the Western State Hospital
at stanton in recent months suffering
from the effect of liquor or drugs
DR.. DeJarnette stated that he viewed
the growing number with alarm, as
indicating a disregard for law on the
part of some one. since il was not pos
sibie that such people could get such
drugs without q violation Of the law
Liquor at Drug stores.
The sale of liquor by drug stores
is said to exist in many localities, and
in some sections a certain laXlty II the
enforcement of the law In this regard
has been winked at by the authorities
The Virginia statute on the sale OF
cocaine is a most stringent one. but
I'D TO this time prosecutions have beeA
against peddlers and small Illicit SELL
ers. not against druggists. The act re-
ouires for the sale OF cocaine by any
registered druggist written prescrlp-
tion from a licensed physician for
each sale, violation Of the act being
felony. punishable with from one TO
five wears in the penitentiary- Posses
sion of the drug with intent to sell is
prina facie evidence of guilt. this por-
ton of the act not applying 70 regis
tered pharmacists or physicians. Pre-
scrintions must contain the name or
the patient and may be filled only
once.
Proposes Special Tax.
In his annual report Dr. DeJarnette
proposed a State tax on saloons ana
drug stores. the amount so raised l"
go toward defraying the cost ~ main
tenance Of a separate. tatemanaGed
institution for those suffering from the
effects CT liquor or drugs and VINO
have been brought TO their condition
bv the illegal acts OF druggists or ga
1oonkeepers The State liquor law
makes II unlawful for the proprietor
of a licensed saloon to sell to habit
ual drunkard
~rnagIa,APc nuccEIJ IcM