The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-03
PHYSICIANS WARNED
ON ADDICTS' DRUGS
Have No Authority to Pre-
scribe to Satisfy Victims
Appetites.
BAN ON DRUGGISTS TOO
Federal Agent Says UnprOfes-
sional Acts Will Go to
the Courts.
BAN ON DRUGGISTS TOO

1ncessant complaints by doctors and
druggists concerning the proper con-
struction to be placed upon the Harri-
son narcotic law drew yesterday from
Daniel r. Porter, Supervising Revenue
Department Agent Of the New York
District. the following statement:
The Harrison narcotic law as con-
no authority to prescribe narcotic drug
for the purpose Of satisfying an addict's
appetite for the drug, nor is a druggist
authorized to dispense a narcotic under
such conditions to an addict Narcotic
drugs Gamble dispensed only in the course
Of a physicians professional practice to
bona flde patient, and for legitimate
medical uses.
TN case an addict is actually suffer-
ing from a proved incurable disease. in
the treatment OF which a narcotic drug
is necessary to alleviate pain caused by
said incursble disease and not merely
the result of a craving for the drug, 1t
may be dispensed upon prescription duly
written by a reputable physician where
such prescriptions have the Endorsement
OF the physician to the effect that the
drug Is TO be dispensed to such patient
in the treatment Of an incurable disease
Responsibility on Physician.
This Office manifestly is not charged
with the duty OF laying down any fixed
rule as to the frequency of the prescrip-
tons in the cases of such incurables.
That responsibility obviously rests upon
the physician in charge. II he acts I'M
professionally, II is to be expected that
| the courts will hold him to strict ac-
| countability.
The danger OF supplying a patient
| suffering from cancer or other similar
| chronic disease with a supply OF mar
cotics should not be overlooked. because
such patients are ordinarily addicts also.
and II their actions are not carefully
supervised or controlled they may use
the narcotics wronguflly, either by TAX
ing excessive quantities themselves or
by disposing OF or selling any surplus
amount OF the drugs in their hands to
other addicts or persons not lawfully
| entitled to receive same
mo State law or regulation can pro-
| tect a physician in doing anything con-
trary to the Federal law"
More Addicts Than Ever Before.
A. R. Parkhurst director Of the bu-
resu OF narcotic research, declared that
country to-day than ever before. He as
serts that IL per cent. OF American i'd
diets are OF the underworld type, while
the rest are classified as sick people
and of otherwise legitimate and respect
able character.
Mr.. Parkhurst deplores the tendency
| OF physicians and druggists OF the bet .er
sort TO ignore drug addicts and the sale
Of narcotic drugs altogether. He tsti-
mates that there are about 10000 ad-
diets in this city, while the State and
city health authorities place the figure
at 100000. He says that only 5000 of
these addicts have been registered.
whereas Walter r. Herrick, commits
sfoner of the State anti-narcotic drugs
department, contends there are more
| than 1000.
Mr.. Parkhurst declared that he has
records of wealthy persons purchasing
narcotics at tremendous prices. One
man. he says, paid as much as $500
for six ounces OF morphine. These peo-
pie are suffering such extortion rather
than go TO Prince street and register In
the State bureau Of narcotic drug con-
| troll
| Prof,teering in narcotic drugs has as
sumed alarming proportions, Mr.. Park.
hurst says.