Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-15
CITY ASSUMES BURDEN Of
CARING FOR DRUG USERS
Establishes Special Ward for Treat
mcnt OF Unfortunates Addicted
to Narcotics.
FEDERAL ACT BRINGS CRISIS
Harrison Antinarcotic Law, Forbid
ding Retail Sale Of Laudanum and
Restricting Drug Prescriptions,
Drives Many to City for Relief.

An enlightened stand has been taken
by the city with respect TO those of it's
unfortunate citizens who are addicted
10 the use of laudnnum cocaine NOR
, phlhe ana other drugs, and who now
mat the drugs have become much
harder to obtain with the enforcement
OF the Harrison antinarcotic law, ind
| themselves in prccarious condition
fhe situation became acute about n
week ago, when large numbers of drug
users. who had been in the habit of
nuEinS laudanum preparations from re-
tall dealers found the supply suddenly
cut OF. The Federal act. which went
INTO effect on March |. put the ban on
such sale OF laudanum and other drugs
and surrounded with stringent restric
tons the issuing Of prcscriptions for
narcotics by physicians.
FrlFate physicians. who were boset
ny an increasing number of unfortu-
mates, finally found ii necessary to turn
20 the city for II solution of the prob
lem. DR. Manfred Call chief of thc
medical staff Of the Virginia Hospital
consulted with John Hirschbcrg. of the
Administrative Board. who approved
INC phYsician's suggestion. that n spc-
cial ward be set aside in the City Home
hospltai for the treatment OF drug
users 80
ASSIGNS DIR. EZEKIEL
TO DIRECT TREATMENT
DR.. Call has appointed to be in
.i"lee OF tnlS work DIT Gerald A. Ezc-
kiel, who had under his care Saturday
ten patients. eight of whom we're adj
dictcd to the use of laudanum II is
expected that as soon as il becomes
commonly known that the city has
undertaken the treatment OF this class
Oh cases: the demands upon the new
ward will he greatly increased DR.
fZekicl's appointment will probably he
reported to the Administrative Boord
this weak for ratification. although Mr.
iirschberG has already been unoni-
ciaily advised of his assignment TO the
work.
The method Of treatment follows the
most approved practice. The patients
are not at once cut off entirely from
'he drug upon which they had bcrn
relying. Thc amount is gradually re
duced. however. until only half the
usual quantity is being consumed. Then
me patent is given preparation
Whlch produces condition similar TO
the State Of person in the so-calied
twilight sleep" upon awakening from
which the patient usually experiences
no more desire for the drug TO which
he had been addicted
SEVERAL. PATIENTS
DISCHARGED AS CURED
According TO DR.. Ezekiel several of
the patients who have come to tho cI,v
Tor treatment have been ,nn,ro,,,
cured OF their weakness. So far no
ono that has been DISCHARGED ,s c,,rn1
mas returned for further treatment
ana IL Is believed that in many cases
me cure will he permanent.
me SUFFERING that has been visited
upon uopc users with the closing of
me ordiharE avenues through which
snrS nave neen supplied in the past. is
n"oWh ny physicians to be wide-sprnod
IL was foreseen that unless tho cI,,
'oo> prompt steps 10 afford relief ibcrc
would DC sharp increase of law vio.
EtiohS growing, ont or attomnts on ~
part or druc-users TO secure throurb
heEular channels the drugs which
tneH had In the past obtained with com
paratively little difficulty from ~
tail trade VIC re-