Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1915-05-18
DRUG DEALERS
j WARNED ABOUT
SALE OF dope"
Internal Revenue Collector
Sounds Anew the Need for
Strict Watchfulness.

A warning TO physicians and drug
gists who would take advantage of
their positions and secure drugs for
fends is contained in a letter re-
oeived here today from Commissioner
of Internal Revenue William Fl. os-
born, of Washington, D. C. The let
ter was directed to Collector Charles
V. Duffy, in charge of this district.
Revenue agents have been instruct
ed to keep close tabs on all drug pre-
; scriptions filed In Newark drug
stores. II a doctor has a patient who
ia addicted to drugs the former may
prescribe as much drug sg the case
requires. Government agents expect
that doses for addiots will be de-
creased as the treatment goes on
Chronic or 1nourable cases are gen.
orally treated with increasing doses,
and this condition also "a looked for.
According to the regulations, ply
sician, dentist or veterinarian who
presoribes any drug must indicate the
purpose for which any unusual guam
tity viii be used. The letter from
Washington was sent out as instruc-
tons on THE quantity OF narcotic
drug that may be dispensed or pre-
scribed by physicians, dentists and
veterinary surgeons, registered under
the provisions of the act of December
II, 1914"
The letter follows
''The act of December II, 1914. pro-
vides that a physician, dentist, or
veterinary surgeon registered under
the provisions of the law may dis
pense or prescribe any of the narcotic
drugs coming within it's scope to pa
tients upon whom he shall personally
attend and 1n the course of his pro-
feesional practice only
This Office construes the words
dispensed, distributed, or prescribed
used In the act, as synonymous. and
that a physician, dentist, or veteri-
nary surgeon dispenses' within the
meaning of the law when he writes
a prescription calling for any of the
narcotic drugs to be filled by a reg
istered dealer.
How Law Operates.
'SWhile the law does not limit or
ootic drugs that may be so dispensed
or prescribed at ono time, it does pro-
vide that 1t shall be unlawful to OBJ
tain by means OF order forms any of
the aforesaid drugs for any purpose
other than the use, sale, or distribu-
tion thereof, In the conduct of a law
ful business in said drugs, or in the
legitimate practice of his profession
Further, that oil preparations and
remedies containing narcotic drugs
coming within the scope OF this act
are sold, distributed, given away,
dispensed, or possessed as medicines
and not for the purpose OF evading
the intentions and provisions of this
act and 1t Is further provided that
1t shall be unlawful for any person
not registered to have In his possess
sion or under his control any of the
drugs. preparations, or remedies.
which have not been prescribed in
good faith by O physician, dentist,
or veterinary surgeon registered un-
der the net
Therefore. where a physician, dem
tist, or veterinarian prescribes any
of the aforesaid drugs in a quantity
to meet the Immediate needs of a
patient In the ordinary case, or where
II is for the treatment of an addict
or habitue to effect a cure, or for a
patient suffering from an lncurable OF
chronic disease, such physician. dem
tist, or veterinary surgeon should in
dicate on the prescription the purpose
Tor which the unusual quantity or
the drug so prescribed is to be used.
"In cases of treatment of addicts,
these prescriptions should show the
good faith of the physician, In the
legitimate practice of his profession.
by a decreasing dosage or reduction
of the quantitv prescribed from time
to time. On the other hand, in cases
of chronic or incurable diseases. such
prescriptions might show an ascend
ing dosage or increased quantity,
Registered dealers filing such pre-
scriptions should assure themselves
that the drugs are prescribed In good
faith for the purpose indicated there
on and IL there Is reason to suspect
that the prescriptions are written for
the purpose OF evading the Intentions
of the law, such dealers should refuse
TO fill same.
(Slgned) wv. n. OSBORN,
Commissioners"