Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-03-05
The New Drug Law And Its Pro-
Visions.

NhShOhos
The Carroll Record, TaneytOwn, Md.
Druggist r. S. Mckinney, of Taneytown
has furnished the Record with the follow
ing article explanatory of the new Federal
Drug Law. which goes into effect ON March
|. As its operations will be far-reaching
and will affect great many. in one way
or another, we are glad to give it publicity
and suggest that all who are interested
read it carefully. Mr.. Mckinney says:
THE abuse of certain drugs and the
large increase of dope fiends" in recent
years have been matters of great concern
in medical and pharmaceutical circles, as
well as to criminolOgists. Numerous laws
have been passed to abate the evil, but
with little success. The latest and most
far-reaching thing that has been done, is
the passage by Congress of what is known
as the Harrison Anti-Narcotic law. Being
Federal law. it applies alike to all parts
of the United States.
ut places the sale of narcotic drugs
opium and all its preparations, and cocaine
in all forms. under the direct control OF
the Internal Revenue Department, the same
as liquor and tobacco. The law affects all
who sell, dispense. give away or in any
way handle these drugs. II includes doctors
druggists. dentists and veterinarians, all OF
whom must pay special tax to the Reve-
nue. Collector, of one dollar per year.
"All orders for narcotic drugs must be in
duplicate on blanks sold by the collector
one copy to be preserved by the purchaser
and the other by the seller. for two years,
and always subject to examination by the
collector.
1.-THE only other way these drugs may be
furnished is by physicians prescription,
and that only upon the original which can
not be refilled. The only exception being
preparations which contain opium. but
which can be used for external purposes
only. or such preparations as contain not
over two grains Of opium in each ounce.
1.-THE law is very stringent and the pen
alties for violation is fine not exceeding
$1,000 or imprisonment for not more than
two years, or both fine and imprisonment.
Since the passage of the law the medi-
cal and pharmaceutical journals, as well as
pharmaceutical manufacturing houses,
have given considerable time and space
to the explanation Of the law, so that deal
ers and dispensers are reasonably. well
informed in regard to il. There are some
points, however, that affect the public and
are of general interest.
For instance, laudanum, has been a
household remedy in may families for
ages. After March LIST. no one can 20 to
the drug store and buy dimes worth Of
laudanum the druggist dare not sell il
without an official order, or physicians
prescription, If 1t contains more than two
grains Of opiums to the ounce. There are
also many home preparations, chiefly d.
arrhea mixtures. cough syrups. etc, con-
tanning laudanum. or some form of opium
can no longer be put up although the drug
gist has been filling the same for years.
The sale of all medicines containing ex-
cessive narcotics will be stopped,
in some cases the law may be hard
ship, and it will cause inconvenience for
dealers, yet If faithfully enforced. no doubt
il will eventually prove a great benefit to
in curtailing the dope evil. which,
though not very prevalent in rural commu.
mites, in many places has reached gigantic
proportions. Incidentally the one dollar per
year tax paid by all who are affected by
the law, will bring in no small amount of
revenue"