Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-11-24
DOPE EVIL AMONG
YOUNG REVEALED
Horrors of Drug "Attics"
Aired by Internal Reve-
nue. Agents
DOCTOR JACKSON HELD
Accused of Giving Prescriptions
for Total Of 1000 Grains
of Heroin

rhe horrors OF drug "attics" where young
school boys and girls are brought clan
sieatineiy 10 learn the evils Of narcotic drugs
for the first time. were aired today by IN
tarnal revenue officers following the arrest
of Or. John o. jackson, OF 1927 Jackson
street who was held In $4,000 bail by United
States Commissioner Charles w. Edmuuds.
According TO Deputy Collector Joseph Nc
Dewitt, the physician has made out mum
.dreds of prescriptions for dope totaing
more than 1000 grains of heroin.
Doctor Jackson was arrested by Deputy
Collector McDevitt late yesterday. He VIII
be arraigned for further hearing on De-
cefnber T.
cnsed physician said that he had been
under surveillance for more than four
months, and that Government agents knew
that two druggists were filling prescrlp-
lions made out by the physician on a
Wholesale scale.
McDevitt said openly that he had no
doubt that many OF the prescriptions made
out by Doctor jackson had found their way
fnfo the hands OF young boys and girls.
~Ita rather startling statement TO
make" MoDevitt said. but am convinced
that it is the truth, and we might as wen
face the facts II is we'll known that many
drug habitues In this city are under the age
y Of twenty.one 1t may be that young peo-
+ fIs are more susceptible to the Influences
OF drugs. l think they may be more in.
cined to try the use OF drugs for once, Just
TO see what tho effect is like. They take
the first step. and they become ensnnred ~
once by the wlles OF dope" Older people
know better. no doubt"
CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY
McDevltt said that according to the war
rant issued for Doctor Jacksons arrest, the
physician is accused of conspiracy with
Samuel Joplin. who has drug store at
Sixteenth and Tasker streets. An attempt
!; win be made by the Government, 1t was
z Baid, TO show that an understanding exist
y ed between Doctor Jackson and the drug
kist to supply drugs for other than medical
purposes. Many of the prescriptions held
BY McDevitt were filled at the Toplln drug
store
Doctor Jackson's arrest and hearing
came as n startling development to the
Htatement made by Dr. Frederick y. Baldi
!. consulting physician at Moyamensing prison
that many so-called backward pupils are In
reality victims of the drug habit.
rMany OF the drug 'attics,' or drug par
iors exist in South philadelphia McDeVitt
naid "Citlzens in that section of the city
are up I'm arms against them, naturally.
How would any man feel when he saw and
realized that the clutches OF dope were
being made TO fasten on the young men and
women. boys and girls of any section OF a
city,"
McDevitt said he believed that Doctor
Baldls statement was substantially cor
rect. dope" peddlers and others inter-
ested in the Illegal sale of drugs are only
too willing to wreck the young lives of boys
and girls for their own selfish and personal
gain The most stringent action against
these human wolves" was urged by Nc
Dewitt,
PHILADELPHIA DOPE CENTER
Much of the dope sold illegally through
cut the country comes from Philadelphia
according to members OF the California
State Board of Pharmacy. which is nego.
tiating agreements with Mexico to wipe
out the Illegal traffic across its border
The drugs are said to be exported from
philadelphia and other cities and then re-
Imported from Mexico and even Canada,
Harry B. French. president of the Cham
her of Commerce. and of the firm OF Smith
Kline & French, says that the Illicit trade
IN such narcotics as cocaine, heroin, NOR
phlne and morphia has grown until "it
has exceeded all reason" He said. how
ever, that the Philadelphia manufacturers
are not engaged In the Illegal trade. as
tha drugs are sent abroad. Large dope
peddlers. he added. then smuggle the dope
back into the United States.