The Washington herald., 1915-04-18
BELIEVES DOPE
STILL IN Reach
Louis F. Zinkham Thinks Law
Has Embarrassed Users
but Slightly.
so PATIENTS In ASYLUM
Numerous Inquiries About Treatment
Are Received by Local
Hospital.
so PATIENTS IN ASYLUM

That the majority of drug fiends in
the District have been embarrassed
but slightly by tho new Federal anti
narcotic law is the opinion of Louis
F. Zinkhan, superintendent of Wash
inGton Hospital and District jail.
Il do not know why that is 30. I'M
less it is because the dope fiends are
still able to procure their drug through
prescriptions" Mr.. Zinkhan said.
About sixty drug patients have been
treated at the asylum since the Har-
~ison law went into effect, March 1.
Fourteen addicts are receiving treat
ment now. which is but two or three
more than the average of other sea-
sons.
Receive Many Inquiries.
DR. J. A Cannon. in charge Of the
drug patients, said:
We have received numerous inquiries
about our treatment. many of them from
persons of respectable station in lie,
persons one would not believe were adj
.lirtS. They are refused admittance to
.,rivate hospitals. although able to pay
ror the treatment. because. when they
,ave been under care for day or two
md learn they are not receiving the
,:ruS-doses they had expected. they de-
.lard freedom-their right as citizen
Most of our treatments in the WASH
ilCtOn Asylum are successful because
the ma iority of patients have been sent
Der. 10y the police and charged with
technical violatio of the law. We are
abb. to hold them until they are cured"
The asylums method of treatment -
tie. administration of a specific, and not
IN" gradual reduction Of the drug 10
"a hich the patient is addicted-one plan
favored by drug fiends and employed in
Ecw York because it spares the victim
the terrible and agoniZinE ordeal OF haV-
ing his drug abruptly taken away.
The Salvation Army is prepared 10
treat drug addicts in its newly furnished
hospital at l2l Pennsylvania avenue
northwest. While no one has applied Tor
admittance. many inquiries have been re-
ceived Because of lack of funds, the
organization has done but little adver-
Using.
Under the direction of Adjt. W. H.
Heift. the wards have been put in ex-
cellent condition. Clean-smelling rooms,
newly foored with linoleum. immaculate
bed coverings and comfortable furniture
await the patient.
In Charge of DR.. Emmons.
The treatment will be in charge of
DR.. Charles Emmons, of 100 Pennsyl-
vania avenue southeast. who has treat
ed alcoholics for the Salvationists for
two years. DR.. Emmons favors the
gradual reduction method of treat
ment.
Adjutant Heift offers the use of the
army's farm twelve miles below Wash
ington for recuperation purposes. DR..
Erlmons also has placed his farm. five
miles from Washington. where ter
people can be accommodated. at the
disposal of cured patients.
The Washington Herald has been
asked for advice regarding the treat
ment of the drug habit. An inquiry
from a business man in another city.
showing his distress because of the
Harrison anti-drug act. follows:
April 10. 1915.
Editor Herald. Washington. D. c.
Dear Sir: / am from -- and I
am travelling for a - firm and adj
vertisng for them in --.
Acquired Drug Habit.
During a spell of sickness some
months ago. / got in the habit OF using |
drugs before / knew it 1 am not able |
to pay for treatment. Is there any pos |
sihle chance of getting free treatment in |
Washington" In two weeks 1 can get
off for five or six weeks and not lose |
my place. ! am sure If / was treated
even four weeks l could be cured. All |
want is to have the drug reduced down |
to none. l will do the rest if will pow
er can do il. / am enclosing a self-ad- |
dressed envelope. Will YOU kindly let
me hear from you? I will be here
week.
Il hate to bother you but IL you only |
knew how anxious l am to be a man
again. My wife does not even know it.
Since the new law has come in, 1t is |
taking nearly all / make. having to pay
a doctor for a prescription every time
get it.
Thanking you for any Information you
may write me- and hoping to hear from
you at an early date"