Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-03-12
FEDERAL LAW TO
CURB DRUG HABIT
New York Man, Who Studies
Effects, Tells Of Evil.
EXONERAT ES THE PHYSICIANS

kNUHIIlN 10 lii lIOtUIHVO
Clergyman Declares Cocaine Can Be
Bought as Easily as Ice Cream and
Asserts That All States Should Have
Uniform Laws-Tels of Effect of
Drug on Victims.
New York There is only one way
to put an end to the cocaine traffic III
the United States, and that is to pass
Il comprehensive federal law which
will regulate the sale not only OF the
harmful and obnoxious cocaine. but all
drugs and narcotics that have vitiat-
ing qualities said the Rev James
Is. Curry of st, James Roman Cotholic
church when asked for his views on
the war on habit forming drugs
Father Curry became interested in
the fight on cocaine nine years ago. and
he has been lighting it ever since. He
is familiar with every phase Of the
matter
1T is Il matter that the federal gov
eminent must deal With sooner or
later" he said The widespread use
of drugs. which is running the lives OF
thousands of men and women in this
country and, most important of all,
lives of thousands OF boys and girls,
makes it incumbent ON the officials in
Washington To take CogniZance of this
serious fHhN fNr
tination is past, and we must get quick
action.
mo individual state can successfully
combat the evil. For instance, If New
York state passes Il drastic law rcgu-
lating the sale of drugs ii will he Il
simple matter for INSCRIPTIONS sellers
Of the drug to obtain their supply in
New Jersey or another state.
"On some sides | have heard phySi-
clans of this city criticised for filling
prescriptions which enable the bearers
to obtain supplies of cocaine. Rcputa-
bic physicians are striving to lessen
this evil to the best of their ability
Il do think the wholesale drug
houses are responsible for the spread
of this evil, AS an example of how
easy it is to obtain cocaine and other
harmful drugs from wholesale houses.
an acquaintance of mine recently in
formed me that he could get as much
of the drug MS he wanted without an
order from a physician or anybody
else. | was so surprised that | re
/ quested him to make the effort.
He made out a list and mailed it to
drug house and asked for prices. In
cluded in the list was cocaine. In Il
few days he received the list with the
prices filled in. and, checking off some
of the drugs. including cocaine. he re
mailed the list. No long after that
the goods were delivered, and the CO.
caine was in the order. 1t was as
easy as buying ice cream.
1T was il 1909 that | first took up
the cudgelS against the sellers of CO.
caine. noticed sailors drifting over
from the Bowery and patroniZing II
certain druggist. Before entering the
store these men seemed to be down
| hearted and respondent. but coming
out their manner had undergone n
change, They appeared to be animat-
ed and elceful, cut up capers and seem
ed pleased with everything in general.
II saw one of them sniff cocaine one
day. | succeeded in obtaining some of
the drug and sent ii to the board of
health for analysis 1t was found to
be $3.50 per cent cocaine. Subsequent
| Iy the druggist was forced to close up.
Laws that exist are not comprehcn-
sive enough. Some new drug springs
up from time to time. and the present
laws do not affect its sale ! propose
that Il law be passed that will cover
not only the drugs now regulated. but
also new drugs that may come into OK
istence. \ law can be 50 worded as 10
embrace the new drugs and there will
be no need for further legislation along
that line.
Some persons have asked me where
the cocaine habit originally came from.
1t is n hard question to answer. bat |
really think that it came from the
West Indies. | imagine that the negro
help on ships from the West Indies
brought the habit to New York years
ago