The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-06-21
MILLION ''DRUC
F|ENDS" IN U. S.
Congress Gets Report of Investi.
cation Conducted by CON-
mittee.
PROMPT ACTION IS URGED
Strict Enforcement of Law and Stop.
ping Of Smuggling From Canada
and Mexico 10 Recommended
Lack Of Adequate Laws


Washington.-Th alarming spread
Of the narcotic drug habit in the
United States is about to be called to
the attention Of congress in the report
of an investigation conducted by a
committee appointed by the secretary
of the treasury.
The chief findings of the committee
are:
The number of persons In the
United States addicted to the use Of
drugs exceeds 100000 at the pres
ent time"
Increase OF the drug habit In the
dry South leads many authorities to
the conclusion that national prohibit
tion will swell the number of victims
of narcotics.
Illegitimate supplies Of opium and
other drugs are smuggled from Mex
leo and Canada and along the Attain
tic and Pacific coasts and furnished
to 1900 organized "dope" peddlers.
Summary Of Recommendations.
The committees recommendations
include strict enforcement of the pres
ent federal anti-narcotic act; addi-
tional federal legislation; enforcement
Of state laws; concerted action on the
part of state and municipal govern
nents to suppress the Illicit traffic |;
stopping smuggling of dope from Can
ada and Mexico.
1T is also recommended that edu-
cational campaigns be instituted In
all parts Of the United States for the
purpose of informing the people of
this country including the medical
profession, of the seriousness Of drug
addiction and Its extent In the United
States" says the report.
The committee which made the In
vestigation consisted of Congressman
Henry T. Rainey of Illinois, Prof.
Reed s. Hunt, Harvard university
Deputy Commissioner b. G. Keith, In
ternal revenue bureau, and DIR, A. g
Dumez, United States public health
service.
1.-THE number of individuals addict
ed to the use of opium, its prepara-
tions or aikaloids, and coca leaves
their preparations or alkaloids, In the
United States has at various times
been estimated to be from 100000 t.
100000" says the committee. "These
estimates must, however, be looked
upon as mere guesses.
sowing to the lack of laws and reg
ulations making 1t compulsory for the
registration Of addiets. 1t has been I'M
possible for the committee TO obtaiI
information which would give the ex
act number Of addicts I'm the United
States.
Causes Of Drug Addiction.
The causes Of drug addiction In th'
order Of frequency were given by p0
lice authorities as follows: Use O
physicians prescriptions, association
with other addicts. prohibition, USE
of narcotic drugs for chronic diseases
curiosity to learn the effect of tn,
drug, prostitution, use Of patent ol
proprietary medicines, use of certain
narcotic drugs as stimulant, idle
ness, and use by dentists.
"What effect. IL any, nationwide
prohibition will have on the situation
could not be definitely determined b,
the committee" the report says. "Th
consensus appears to be that the mum
ber Of addicts Will Increase as sool
as the prohibition laws are enforced
This opinion apparently receives SOM
support from investigations made Il
some OF the southern states where pro
hibition has been in effect for som
years."