Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-03-13
WARE DRUG BILL
IS DRASTIC PLAN
Would Put an End to the In
discriminate Use of Various
Preparations

Provisions of a bill introduced by
Senator Edwin II. Ware, to-day make 1t
an offense, punishable by not more
than $4,000 fine, or more than five
years Imprisonment or both, for any
person, other than any yauthorized ply
sician, dentist, veterinarian or licensed
dealer to receive, have in his possess
sion, sell, control, distribute or give
away any opium, cocoa leaves or any
compound thereof except under the
advice and direction and with the con-
sent of a regularly practicing and duly
licensed physician or dentist"
The bill prohibits the administra-
ton of the said drugs ito or for the
use of habitual or constant user of
any of the said drugs--for the purpose
of treating or curing of said person of
said addiction or habit or for the pur-
pose of satisfying the craving of said
person of said drugs, outside of O hos
pital. sanatorium, medical or public
institution to which said person is con-
hned.' To receive any drugs in vio-
lation of this provision is also an Of
fense.
This provisio mis- aimed at the pos
sible practice of an addict or habitual
user of the drugs visiting several ply
sicians and receiving a prescription
from each for a quantity of drugs to
be administered without observation
or supervision. The burden of prov
ing ANY exemption under the act
shall be upon the defendant"
Physicians, dentists or veterinarians
can only administer or prescribe drugs
after a physical examination of the
person or animal to be treated or pre-
scribed for; and such physician or
dentist may prescribe for or furnish
TO any habitual user of such drugs
substances as said physician or den
list may deem necessary for his treat
ment, when such administering or fur
nishing or prescribing is not done for
the purpose of evading the provisions
of this act"
All prescriptions shall be dated as to
the date on which signed, shall be
stamped with the date upon which it
Is filled, shall not be filled but once
and not more than two days from date,
thereof. 1t must be retained by the
person selling or dispensing the ar
tlcle for two years in such way that
It Will be readily accessible to inspec-
tion by the proper authorities.
Any license heretofore issued to
any physician, dentist, veterinarian,
pharmacist or registered nurse, may be
revoked by the proper officers or
boards, having power to issue licenses
to any of the foregoing, upon proof
that the licensee is addicted to the use
OF any such drug" or whenever any
physician, etc, is convicted in a court
having Jurisdiction of any of the vio-
lations of this act"
In placing the burden of proof upon
the defendant the act provides that ''in
any prosecution under this act 1t shall
not be necessary to negative any of
the exemptions of this act in any COM
plant information or indictment"
The act will take effect sixty days af-
ter the dae of final passage.
Senator Ware declared that it is his
purpose to rid the State of Pennsylva-
mia of the dope" evil. The most
harmful habit practiced in this coun-
try to-day is the dope habit and it is
my desire to see it wiped out in the
State of Pennsylvania" he declared.
THE bill 1 introduced this morning is
drafted for that purpose and believe
that it will serve to do that very thing.
Personally I know of several cases
where opium and other drugs have
ruined the lives of promising young
men. Hundreds of others have been
brought to my attention. The bill
was prepared along lines which will
leave no chance for the offending per-
son, whether it be the physician, drug
gist, nurse or consumer to dodge or
circumvent it's provisions or escape its
penalty. And it should be So"