The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-06-13
USE OF DRUGS IS
 ON THE INCREASE

Washington. June 13-Nation-wide use of narcotic drugs for other than legitimate medical purposes, steadily increasing despite vigorous efforts in the last four years in the enforce ment of the federal law, was discov- cred by the Treasury's special investi- gative committee which submitted a final report yesterday.
 The number of drug addicts in the United States was estimated to be in excess of l 1,OOO,OOO.
 The committee found that imports of opium into the United States have increased twice as fast as the growth in population. Imports of cocoa leaves, from which cocaine is made. also have grown steadily.
 Tt has been stated that about 90 per cent. of the amount of these drugs entered for consumption Is used for other than medical purposes" the ereport said. While this statement is probably extreme, a comparison of the per capita consumption in this country with that of other countries indicate that this country consumes from 3 to 2 times as much opium Ter capita as other countries"
 Enough opium is consumed in the
 D'4NSS-eA 'J'e''N'' SfNlS Sc'AJ tllC ISpOl stated, to give every man, woman and child 36 doses. A minimum estimate
 of the value of habit forming drugs used was given as S20,0OO,OOO, most of which is paid by the victims who suffer tortures without their favorite
 narcotic and are ready to go any
 length to obtain a supply.
 Statistics obtained by the commit
 tee dealt only with the legitimate
 traffic in drugs.
 'In addition, there is the so-caIIed
 'underground' traffic in these drugs" the report continued. which is esti-
 mated to be equal in magnitude to that carried on through legitimate channels. This trade is in the hands of the so-called dope peddlers,' who appear to have national organiza- ton for procuring and disposing of their supplies. For the most part it is thought that they obtain their
 supplies by smuggling them from Canada or Mexico. Smuggling is also practiced to a considerable extent on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts"
 Questionnaires submitted to doctors, druggists and public institutions, de- veloped wide divergence of opinion as to the causes of the increase in the use of drugs The causes suggested included physicians prescriptions, use of drugs for chronic diseases, prohi- bition, association with other addicts use of patent medicines, and prosti- tution
 What effect, if any, nationwide prohibition will have on the situation
 could not be definitely determined by the committee" the report said. ''Thc
 ccncensus of opinion appears to be that the number of addicts will in aS f11e.r aI,i
 are enforced. These opinions are
 based, for the most part, on the the
 ory that drinkers will seek a substi- tute for alcohol. This opinion ap- parent1y receives some support from | investigations made in some of the southern states, where prohibition
 has been in effect for some years" l Although the committee expressed l the opinion that the Harrison anti 1 narcotic law confers all needed pow | CTS for the effective control of the | drug menace, the committee recom- | mended legislation by Congress, the
 states and cities to provide for the | care and treatment of drug addicts | who have been cut off from their SUD- 1 Fly of narcotics. | The committee also suggested that 1 the State Department should endeav- | or to make effective the provisions of | the Hague protocol relating to in | ternational traffic in the habit form | ing drugs. The United States gov 1 ernment also is urged by the com | Inittee to take up with Canada and i Mexico the task of suppressing snug
 glers of narcotics which is now con | sidered the principal source of illicit | supply.
 Absolute prohibition of the manu- | f9ctI1ra and sale of harOin was l commended. Cooperation between public and private organizations was | suggested to evolve a satisfactory