The Washington times., 1919-07-01

You read in the newspapers of the activity of COM
rlittees appointed to campaign against the drug evil
Have you any idea what that evil amounts to?
Would you believe that out of all the people you know
men, women and children, two IN every hundred are
habitual users of some narcotic drug?
Woua you think it possible that S2OO00OO0 worth of
morphine heroin and cocaine are imported into TINS coun
Try every year. and that $20,0O0,0O0 worth MORE is
brought In by smugglers?
Would YOU credit the statement that in New York State
alone there are estimated be $4,000 children who
habitual users of habit-forming drugs?
Would you believe that there is enough opium
sumed in the United States every year to give every
woman and child thirty-six doses?
But these facts.
They are facts compiled by the United States Govern
ent which alarmed at the tremendous increase
of the use of drugs, especially AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE
The study of the situation by experts representing
the Health Service professors from universities police
authorities and trained Investigators has developed some
most astounding statistics.
It is estimated that more than 900 year is
spent by drug addcs for the satisfaction Of their cravings
The difference between this figure and the $40000000
toned above the value of the annual mpoations nd
Gates the profits made by those who handle the drugs
dealers
Leading all the of the drugs morphine but close
to it, and likely to pass it. is heron This latter drug
which taken in the form of snuff to have special
appeal to boys and girls because they find little trouble in
procuring it.
An investigation of limited number of penal institu
tons showed that 626 inmates morphine users and
than twenty years old
further discovery startling and alarming that
among the better class of people, those outside the under
world the habit of using narcotic drugs has its origin to
great degree in the prescribing by physicians of their
for the relief of pain.
1t further found that the repeated taking of mar
coc drug period of thirty days. and in the of
susceptible patients period of ten days. sufficient
to thoroughly establish the habit
The drug habit in this country is American habit
It not INDUCED in to any extent by immigrants nor &C.
CURED by them after their arrival here
Based the accurate figures obtainable the per
capita consumption of habitformng drugs in the United
States is TWELVE TIMES that recorded any European
country.
Naturally the addiction to these drugs is much more
common in the cities than in the country and much
general in the large cities than in the small.
The liquor evil has had enough bad features to work
its destruction but beside the traffic in drugs the sale
Of liquor is commendable occupation
Particularly should there be the most careful nvestiga
ton of the use of drugs by your boys and girls
The teachers In the schools should be instructed to
keep strict watch any evidence of the habit.
A physician should prescribe a habit-forming drug
only last resort in the of great suffering He
should limit its under any conditions to the ewes DOS
sbe doses bearing IN mind always the greater suffering
that will come to his patient if'a habit is formed
We happily rid of the curse of whiskey There
be too great provision made against the growth of
greater evil in the spread of the sale of drugs
P. S-Begnning today there is likely to be offered
variety of drinks which will be described Just as good" as
whiskey.
Ninety mine per cent of these connections will contain
narcotic drug They will be extremely dangerous
Keep away from them