Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-04-18
NEW YORK DRUG ADDIcTs.
More Than 5000 Between Fl and 81 In
the Great City.

More Than 5000 Between Fl and 81 In
the Great City.
There are in New York city alone
5000 men between 81 and 81 years old
who are drug addicts while elsewhere
there were $4,000 in the first draft for
the National army, it was disclosed
yesterday in a report made public by
the New York city parole commission.
The report on this point said:
Congressman Rainey, who is a most
active worker against this evil, and who
has labored with the United States
treasury department on new legislation
to amend the Harrison narcotic drug
act Of 1914, has brought out some as
founding facts on this subject. He Of
fers the opinion that since the only
weapon Of the Federal authorities is
for preventive purposes and to restrict
the sale Of drugs through revenue en-
actments, the real fight must be made
by state and municipal authorities.
Speaking Of young men Of draft age,
he says 1t was found that there were
10000 drug addicts in the first draft,
all Of whom needed medical attention.
They were all rejected by camp Of
fcers as incompetent and worse still,
young men deliberately acquired the
drug habit to escape the draft. He has
a list Of twenty-five physicians who
were commissioned as captains and
majors who are drug addicts, and also
the name of physician so commits
stoned, who started for France with a
large amount Of narcotics to be dealt
out among soldiers. In New York city
a list has been made up Of 5000 men
between 81 and 81 who are drug ad-
diets. The congressman regards the
newly enacted prohibition laws as a
certain source Of still greater drug ad-
diction.
Accompanying the report Of the
commission was a letter written by
Alexander McK1nny, its chairman, in
which it was asserted that an ex-con-
vict now on parole, had declared that
he visited the department Of health's
bureau Of drug addiction at No. las
Worth street the other day and OBJ
tanned a portion of drug, which he
split" with "pals" who were waiting
outside.
Chairman McKinny declared the
custodial method, in his opinion, was
the only way to treat addicts, AID said
he could not indorse the health de-
partments system Of establishing pub
lie clinics.
Whatever their virtue, yesterday
again indicated that the clinic In
Worth street was popular with the
drug victims. From the time 1t open
ed until the doors were barred 1000
addicts of both sexes came to get their
daily portion Of narcotics. 1t was an
nounced by Health Commissioner
Copeland that to date $500 persons
have been treated at the clinic, and the
chances were that the daily visitation
would continue to increase.
This morning the state narcotic COM
mission will open an office in the de-
partment of health building. 13s Cen
ire street. Ex-senator George II.
Whitney, deputy commissioner OF drug
control, will be in charge and Will un-
dertake an immediate checking up OF
drug prescriptions. The commissioner
Is empowered under the Bayland anti
drug law to conduct hearings IN the
cases of physicians suspected OF irreg-
ular practice in drugs, and, upon
conviction, to revoke the doctors IL
cense to issue narcotic prescriptions.
At the meeting which decided upon
this step were Commissioners Cope
land and Whitney, former Senator
Walter R. Herrick, who has been nom
mated by Governor Smith to head the
state narcotic commission and whose
confirmation by the senate Is expected
by tomorrow at tho latest; Police In
spector Joseph Faurot, Lieht Henry
scherb of the narcotic squad, and
Justice Cornelius F. Collins OF tne
Now York state and city magistrats
committee on the drug evil.
Justice Collins and William F. Feth-
erston, counsel Of the health depart
ment, pointed out that the conference
Nigh as well not ATTIC: lpt to frame an
amendment to the state sanitary CODE
since full power to regulate issu'.nce OF
narcotic prescriptions was vested oy
the .aw in the state commission.-NeW
York Times