Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-05-28
MAINE DRUGGISTS
fCont;nued from Pace One)

session was the balloting on applica-
tons for membership in the Maine
Pharmaceutical Association. Nine
new members were admitted as fol-
lows: A. c. Genthner. Guilford: S.
Q. Barrows. Newport; Ralph l. Bis
son. Waterville; Chester L. Nelson,
Fairfield; Francis E. Smiley, Pitts
field: Charles d. Richard, Lewiston;
f. H. Holly. North Arson: H. S.
Sawyer, Fort Fairfield: Charles w.
Newell, Rumford Falls.
The committee on resolutions, ap-
pointed at the morning session, re-
ported and the following resolutions
were accepted by the association:
Whereas the pharmacists of Maine
as elsewhere realize the necessity OF
legislation regulating and restricting
the use and sale of narcotic drugs. and
Whereas il is our belief that the
Harrison anti-narcotic law as enacted
was amply sufficient for the purpose.
and
Whereas later and frequent rulings
have imposed a burden of expense
upon pharmacists often greater than
the aggregate sale of narcotics. mar
lines the amount of profit possible 70
derive. furthermore keeping us in cos
s9ant jeopardy of unintentional viola
tin.
Be it Resolved: That the Maine
| Pharmaceutical Association in special
session assembled. realizing the DUTY
we owe to the public and TO the medi-
cal profession and recognizing the
value OF the narcotic law as passed.
but feeling that present methods OF
enforcement are not in harmony With
the original intent of the law. aud rs
many druggists, both Wholesale and
retail have already eliminated narcot-
les including exempted preparations.
Be il Resolved: That wherever pos
sible, this method be adopted by III
ers. and continued indefinitely or until
difficult and. Objectionable rulings he
rescinded.
Inspector George w. Traynor of
Biddeford. addressed the meeting on
! the subject of the Harrison law and
, its provisions. He prefaced his re-
marks with a few facts regarding
the consumption of drugs in the Uni
ted States, giving some idea of the
size of the traffic in opium and CO.
ca leaves from which cocaine is
made. Last year there were over
100000 registrants under the Harri-
son law who distributed over $40
100000 worth of narcotic drugs. 1t
was estimated that only about 10 or
- per cent of these drugs were real
ly necessary for medicinal purposes.
The present number of drug addicts
is set at over / ,0O0, 600 in the United
States and the cost per year per in
dividual is over $50 Compared
with other countries. from Is to -
times more narcotic drugs are con-
sumed in the United States. and at
present rate of consumption every
man, woman and child in the coun-
try could have So doses of one grain
each.
The Harrison law requires annual
registration and payment of tax in
order to deal in these drugs. Deal
ers are carefully classified and pre-
scriptions must be filed for treat
ment Of disease only, not for indul-
gence purposes. Mr.. Traynor was
showered with questions relating to
this branch of the trade and ex-
planned how to fill prescriptions,
how the druggist should keep track
of his stock of narcotics and how
druggists may safeguard themselves
against illegitimate customers.
The committee on ARRANGEMENTS
for the annual meeting reported
that the meeting will be held Sep
TENDER l. and at Prout's Neck,
and the program as forecasted
promises to be most enjoyable and is
so guaranteed by the chairamn of
the committee.
The conference adjourned at $50.