The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-03-11
FEDERAL LAW TO
CURB DRUG HABIT
New York Man, Who Studies
Effects, Tells Of Evil.
EHONERATESTEE PHYSICIANS

Clergyman Declares Cocaine Can Be
Bought as Easily as Ice Cream and
Asserts That All States Should Have
Uniform laws-Tells of Effect Of
Drug on Victims.
New York.-"There is only n way
TO put an end to the cocaine traffic in
the United States, and that Is to pass
a 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
B. Curry of st. James Roman Cotholic
church when asked for his views on
the wal on habit forming drugs.
Father Curry became interested in
the fight on cocaine nine years ago, and
be has been fighting it ever since. He
is familiar with every phase of the
matter.
1T is a matter that the federal gov
eminent must deal with Soonor 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 ii incumbent on the officials in
Washington TO take ~cogniZance of this
serious matter. The time for procras-
tination is past. and we must get quick
action.
mo individual state can successfully
combat the evil. For instance, if New
York state passes a drastic law regu,
lating the sale of drugs 1t will be a
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. Reputa-
BILE physicians are striving to lessen
this evil to the best of their ability.
II do think the wholesale drug
houses are responsible for the spread
of this evil As an example of how
easy 1t 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 al he wanted without an
order from a physician or anybody
else. ! was 10 surprised that | re-
quested him TO make the effort.
"He made out n list. and mailed it to
q drug house and asked for prices. In
cluded in the list was cocaine. In a
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. Mo- long after that
the goods were delivered, and the CO
caine was in the order. Ii was as
easy as buying ice cream.
1T was in 1905 that | first took VI
the cudgels against the sellers of co
caine. | noticed sailors drifting over
from the Bowery and patronizing
| certain druggist. Before entering the
store these men seemed to be down
hearted and respondent. but coming
out their manner had undergone 4
change. They appeared to be animal
ed and g~leeful, cut up capers and seem
ed pleased with everything in general.
II saw one of them sniff cocaine N,
day. | succeeded in obtaining some OF
the drug and sent it to the board Of
health for analysis. 1t was found tC
be 99.50 per cent cocaine. Subsequent
ly the druggist was forced to close up
Laws that exist are not comprehen
sive enough. Some new drug springs
| up from time to time, and the present
laws do not affect its sale. ] propose
that a law be passed that will cover
| not only the drugs now regulated. but
| also new drugs that may come into ex
istence. A law car be so wordcd as tt
embrace the new drugs. and there viii
be no need for further legislation alons
that line.
Some persons have asked me wher'
the cocaine habit originally came from
| 1t Is a hard question to answer. but
| really think that IL came from the
| West Indies. | imagine that the negro
help on ships from the West Indies
brought the habit to. New York years
ago"