New-York tribune., 1919-04-17
Commissioners Asserts He
Also Found That Manv
Drivers of Taxicabs Are
Victims of Narcotics
Will Report on Danger
Will Lay Before Prison Of
fcials Case Where Con.
vict Got Supply in Cell

The drive to break up the illicit traf-
fic in drugs here has brought to light
the fact that drug addicts are being
employed by various transportation
companies, railways and traction lines
Commissioner of Health Copeland an
nounced yesterday.
While Doctor Copeland declined TO
discuss the prevalence of addiction in
such occupations, it was learned that
in the ranks of nddicts are railway sig
nalmen, engineers and street and sub
way car conductors. It was said that
few motormen who are addicts have
come to the Health Departments at
tention.
Another phase Of the situation Is the
fact that large numbers Of chauffeurs
employed by various taxlcab companies
here are said to be drug addicts.
Commissioner Copeland said that If
he found the employment Of addicts
in such work was public menace"
and might in any way lead to SERIOUS
accidents" he felt it would be his duty
to communicate such facts to the en-
ployers.
Statistics Being Prepared
DR.. Copeland revealed this phase of
the drug situation in a statement yes
terday announcing that his department.
was preparing statistics on drug ad-
diets In industry in an effort to find
what effect, If any, drug addiction had
on the number of industrial accidents.
The statistics, it Is understood, will
reveal whether tho increasing number
of wagon, automobile and vehicular ac-
cidents are due TO tho fact that many
drivers are addicts.
Commissioner Copeland also an
nounced that he proposed calling tho
attention of the Prison Commission to
information which has reached his de-
partment on the smuggling Of narcotic
drugs into penal institutions through
out the state.
at Is currently reported that mar
cotics arc being smuggled to drug nd
diets who are prisoners in state penal
institutions and to victims who are in
hospitals" said the Commissioner.
"To-day a specific case Of this type
came to our attention. We have the
story of q drug addict who four years
ago shot and killed his mother, for
which he was sent to Sing Sing for a
term of ten years. He served about
four years of this term and then was
pardoned.
Shot Mother to Get Drugs
"He says he was q drug addict when
he entered the prison. 1t had been In
q quarrel with his mother to get
money for drugs that he had shot her
He said he was an addict when he left
prison, and he is one to-day. He tells
us he got the drug during his stay
in prison.
The failure of the State Narcotic
Commission to begin operations here
is hampering the crusade, it was said
yesterday. The commission is without
funds. and, in view of this, Commits
sioncr Copeland has provided Deputy
the New York City district, Office space
and necessary clerical help in the
Health Department Building, at 149
Centre Street. Commissioner Whitney
telephoned from Albany yesterday that
he would take charge of his Office to-
day. In this connection DR.. Copeland
said:
owe are facing a situation where a
strong hand is needed. The state COM
mission has regulatory powers, strong
enough to curb the drug evil here. We
want its help. I hope it will begin
work at once
The Health Department yesterday
made known that 2,437 persons have
applied at the drug clinic 145 Worth
Street, since it opened last week