Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-08-17
NEED Of NARCOTIC
WARDS DESPERATE
Hundreds of HabituaI Drug
Users Roaming Streets
of Baltimore.

BALTIMORE. August 16.-The i'm
mediate need for narcotic wards in
connection with hospitals has been
manifest this week in hundreds of
cases, as since the raids last Satur-
day and Sunday by federal officials
and the drastic enforcement of the
anti-drug law this week habitual
users Of narcotics find themselves in
distressing and in many cases I'M
bearable plight. The sudden, over
night inability to procure their be-
loved stimulant has driven countless
victims to the verge of suicide. Hun
in search of dope. Those who are in
position to know say that there are
countless unfortunates in this city
who are today on the verge of des-
hospital treatment. but there is no
place to take them. Capt. John
Logan. head Of the local Volunteers
Of America. has relieved the situation
gency hospital in their building. de-
voting one whole floor to that pur-
pose. but it was filled up the first
day and he has been compelled to turn
away hundreds of victims. The city
health department in CO operating and
is furnishing the reduction treatment
necessary in such cases.
Many Eager to Be Cured.
Many local drug users did not &C
quire the habit through their own
volition. Their dependence upon mar
eotics, they claim, is not their own
adm Mustered in times of illness by
careless physicians. These drug users
are entirely willing. even anxious. to
60 to some hospital and there.
IN 10 INF ofVy
the authorities, do all in their power
to assist in their restoration to nor
NAL condition. But no such refuge
is available in and around Baltimore,
they claim.
A striking case of his character
was brought to public attention one
day this week by man and his wife,
both users err Of Of the drug popularity
seeking relief Since Monday night
their supply of the drug had been
cut off entirely and they were both
tramped the streets day and night in
search Of the drug peddlers, who are
becoming more and more difficult to
earning IS day. he said. but he is
unable to work without his daily in
lection OF morphine or cocaine.
1--WE IL 10 insane.
we have got to have it," he said.
IF we don't get 1t we'll go insane.
We're both ready to pull all the
clothes OF our backs and the shoes
do it any more. I've spent $24.50 on
the stuff since Sunday, but peddlers
are hard to find now and their prices
are unbelievable"
The man shook with weakness and
emotion. He was overwrought, nerv-
Gus and visibility undernourished. In
his eyes shone a desperation that in
formed his listener Of his determine
drug he craved. "a doctor first gave
me the stuff to relieve rheumatic
pains" he said. "and continued TO
administer it until l was pronounced
way. the habit had hold Of me. At
first 1 could buy 1t anywhere, 1t was
easy as buying q loaf of bread. and
the wife also got the habit. Then
came the Harrison drug act.
For a time things were a little
more difficult, but after q short while
a prescription could be procured
whenever any one wanted it. and the
drug could be got as readily as be
The way to do 1t is to hang around
the downtown district and when you
see An addict-one can always spot
another-go up to him on the quiet
found. In time one can usually be
located this way, but their prices are
practically prohibitive and out of all
reason. Our funds are all gone, I am
unable to work. and l don't know
what l am going to do. And my wife
is as bad off as / am"
He got up to go, and swayedg
through weakness as he stood on his
feet. God alone knows what we are
going to do" he said Drugs must
go, the people say, but 10 one seems
to think of US at all.
Later he and his wife both COL
lapsed on the street and after being
refused admittance at a hospital were
finally taken in by Capt. Logan at
the Volunteers headquarters.