The Washington times., 1915-04-10
Care of Drug "Fiends"
Is Big Problem in u, s..
By JUDSON c. WELLIVEE.

Enforcement of the Harrison anti
narcotic law, which took effect March
/, has gone far enough to demonstrate
some of the vast difficulties that will
be met before the measure Ia thoroughly
in effect throughout the country.
Indications arc that Congress will
have to be asked for largely increased
appropriation following the first year
of the work under this law.
Further, there Is little doubt4 that the
appropriation when asked will be
promptly forthcoming. The revelations
which have followed the early efforts at
enforcement, concerning the extent and
vicious character of the drug habit,
have given the country real shock.
The first shutting-down of supplies of
the drug brought from the cities an
astounding proof that tens of thousands
of people have been addicted to the
drug habit and that. cut off from their
supplies, armies Of them are in a con-
dition of the most awful despair and
wretchedness.
Worst In Large Cities.
In Chicago the number of victims
who required care in hospitals, sani-
tariums and other institutions was so
far beyond the capacity to care for
them that the Public Health Service
took special measures to admit these
unfortunates to public health hospitals
where those institutions were in exist
ence and where there was need to use
them.
The Chicago conditions are no worse
than in other large cities. Dr. b. B.
Rhees, in charge of enforcement meas
for he tel nf Tytn al
nue. states that the worst conditions
that have thus far come to light are
those In large cities. The divisions in
formation from the small towns and
the rural regions is thus far unofficial.
coming in letters from people who toll
of the conditions that have developed
since the law took effect. The number
and In a great proportion of cases the
character of these letters make plain
that the situation in rural regions is
also very had: and this is particularly
true in the South.
The immediate problem is to make
the EMBARGO on drugs effective, It Is
already apparent that good deal of
Illicit traffic in them is still going on
for Deddlers are still able to get sup
plies.
How Drugs Are Obtained.
There are only three ways they
could get them" said DR.. Rhces to-
the borders, brought in by importers
who have disguised their character
and misled the authorities, or crooked
doctors may be responsible"
Not In many years has the very be-
ginning Of enforcement Of a law of this
kind been followed by such prompt
demonstration of conditions that were
not previously fully realized. Organiza-
tions throughout the country have for
few years past been conducting the
~ COZ fn, ltrat ,f l,.,,,.
and for the enactment of some such
legislation as has at last been secured.
But the public at large. aside from
special investigators. has not appreci-
ated the conditions at all.
DR.. RheeS names cocaine, hcrOin,
codein, opium and its derivative, NOR
phine. as the worst of the habit form
ing or hypnotic drugs. or these heroin,
| powder, commonly taken by snuffing.
Is the worst in its effects. wrecking the
| nerves. willpower. mind and body of
victims. Users of drugs lost flesh
rapidly. commonly losing forty to sixty
pounds weight in a very short time.
They come absolutely to REQUIRE their
fall into depression that leads to in
sanity and frequently Is marked by
suicidal mania. utter moral ire
sponsibility is constantly noted.
Leaves Chewed BY Natives.
Cocaine and heroin are derived from
the leaves of a plant that Is cultivated
in Bolivia Peru and Ecuador. These
coca leaves are picked commonly IN
two or three crops year packed in
bales Of eighty pounds for shipment
and sent to establishments that are
equipped to extract the essential ele-
ments from them. In the form in
which they are prepared for commerce.
al use. cocaine, heroin and codein are
powders.
One of the strange facts about the
use Of the coca leaf and its derivatives
Is that for many centuries the natives
Of the Andean countries have had the
habit of chewing these leaves several
times day, and that with them the