The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-01
WANTS FEDERAL LAW
TO STOP DRUG HABIT
Father Curry Says State Ac-
ton Is insufficient to
End Evil.
EXONERATES PHYSICIANS
Clergyman Declares Cocaine
Can. However. BE Bought as
Easily as Ice Cream.

There is only one way to put an end
to the cocaine traffic in the United States
and that is to pass a comprehensive Fed
erai law which will regulate the sale not
only OF the harmful and obnoxious CO.
caine but all drugs and narcotics that
have vltiating qualities" said the Rev.
James Il. Curry of 81. Janes's Roman
Catholic Church yesterday, when asked
for his views on the war on habit form
ing drugs.
Father Curry became interested in tho
been fighting II ever since. lie is familiar
with every phase Of the matter.
1T is a matter that the Federal Gov
eminent must deal with sooner or later"
he said "The widespread use OF drugs.
which la 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 cogni-
zance OF this serious matter. The time
for procrastination is past and We must
get quick action.
NO individual State can successfully
combat the evil. For instance. IL New
York State passes a drastic law reguat.
ing tho sale OF drugs Il will be = simple
matter for INSCRIPTIONS sellers OF the
drug to obtain their supply In New Jer.
sey or another State.
"On some sides I have heard physician
tons which enable the bearers to obtain
supplies OF cocaine. Reputable physicians
are striving to lessen this evil to the best
of their ability.
Easy TO Buy Cocaine.
II do think the Wholesale drug houses
are responsible for the spread OF tAls evil
As an example of how easy 1t Ia TO obtain
cocaine and other harmful drugs from
Wholesale houses, an acquaintance OF mine
recently informed me- that he could &c,
as much of the drug as he wanted with
out an order from a physician or anybody
else. was so surprised that l requested
him 10 make the effort.
He made out list and mailed It to
a drug house and asked for prices In
cluded in the list was cocaine. In q
few days he received the list with the
prices filled in and checking of come
OF the drugs, including cocaine, he re-
mailed the list Not long after that TIT
goods were delivered and the cocaine
was IN the order. II was as easy as buy
ing Ice cream.
TT WAS in 1905 that FIRST took vi
the cudgels against the sellers OF cocaine
I noticed sailors drifting over from thu
Bowery and patronizng a certain drug
gst. Before entering the store these mel
seemed to be downhearted and despond
ent, but coming out their manner haf
undergone a change. They appeared {,
| be animated and gleeful, cut up caper
and seemed pleased with everything II
general
sees Man Use Drug.
II saw one Of them sniff cocaine on,
day. succeeded in obtaining some o
the drug and sent II to the Board o
Health for analysis. II was found to b
cocaine $3.50 per cent, cocaine. subse
suently the druggist was forced to clos
up.
Laws that exist are not comprehensive
enough. Some new drug springs UP froi
time to time and the present laws do 10
affect its sale. I propose that u law b
passed that will cover not only the drug
now regulated but also new drugs tina
may come into existence. A law can b
SO worded as 10 embrace the new drug
and there will be no need for further leg
islatioE along that lire.
Some persons have asked me wher
the cocaine habit originally came from
II Is a hard question to answer. but
really think that II came from the Yves
Indies. I imagine that the negro help o.
ships from the West Indies brought tn
habit to New York yeare aGo"