Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-05-23

Reputable Omaha physicians yes
terday morning were unanimous in
their expressions of approval when
commenting on'the startling facts re-
vealed in the official federal govern
ment report on the increase in the
use of narcotic drugs throughout the
country. They, however. were not
surprised.
With one accord prominent men,
bers Of the medical profession voiced
the opinion that the situation de-
manded immediate and special atten-
ton on the part of city and state
authorities. g., .
No Record Of Omaha.
The report of the special narcotic
committee was based on figures fur
nished by nearly all Of the cities in
the United States with a population
exceeding 10000. ~
DR.. E. T. Manning, city health
commissioner, who recently resigned
but is still acting, declared he fur
nished the committee with a report
on the situation in Omaha. The
health commissioner asserted he
failed to keep copy of the report
and would not attempt to say
whether his figures showed an in
crease or decrease in the local
traffic.
They were simply an estimate"
he said. "They were not accurate
and therefore / did not regard them
as important enough to retain
copy" ,-
Conditions Alarming.
what do you think Of the re-
port?" Dr.. Manning was asked.
1T reveals an alarming condition."
was his reply. 3
What are you going to do about
it,? the health commissioner wanted
to know.
In reply to the same question DR.,
Manning declared he was at a loss
to solve the problem.
The health commissioner of
Omaha does not know what the sit
uation is here with reference to the
use of drugs, he says. He does not
know whether it is on the increase
or decrease, he admits.
This federal report does not
prove anything" he admits. 1T is
based on estimated figures. I do
not see how any specific recon-
mendations can be made on ap-
proximate figures"
Easy, to Buy Dope.
Dope can be bought almost at
will in Omaha" declared DR.. c. r.
Kennedy. "A number of Omaha
physicians are making their living
by furnishing it. I know of one
doctor in particular who paid an in
come tax above $4,000 last year.
He has no ethical practice. He has
made extensive improvements about
his home. Y
"Olher physicians know of this
case and many others of a similar
nature. 1t is very difficult for
| physician to discuss these things.
The physician who talks on such
subjects is apt to be regarded as
jealous. -.
II believe Omaha policemen know
where. dope'is being bought. How
ever, I am not in position to prove
this.
Needs Real Drug Hospital.
What Omaha needs is a place to
take care of addicts. They are filled
full OF, dope at the Detention home.
The private hospitals will not admit
victims of the habit unless, large
sums of money are paid"
When told of the government re-
port on the dope traffic Dr.. ]. M.
Aiken, secretary and treasurer of the
Nebraska State Medical association
declared:
1T is undoubtedly true. The med
ical association is in possession of
many facts that would startle even
to a greater extent. 1t is most GER
tainly time the public was waking
up"
DR.. W.,O. Bridges gave express
sion to the opinion that the traffic
was growing more dangerous and
threatening. "The sale Of dope by
a large wholesale drug house in
New York City for the month Of
January was equal to the entire
sale for the previous year," he said.
This means that retail druggists
are stocking up with dope. 1t lis
safe to assume that Omaha is as
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