The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-01
ADDICTS WHO USE
 ? \ R [ [ ] R It ARE NUMB EROUS HERE
Inspector Butler Says This Class Is Most Trouble
 Some

Despite precautions taken by repn- table druggists, the sale of paFese+4e to drug addicts Is considered the most Eiagrant vio% ton Of the Harrisen narcotic act by c. NJ, Butler, federal narcotic Inspector with offices at 23e postofflce building, who Saturday summarized conditions in the Bir- mingham district and discussed II convictions for violation Of the law obtained at the March term of United States district court.
 Because of supposedly more impor- tant violations. Mir Butler said. this class of work has been neglected. all though recent information indicates a contemptuous disregard of the law In selling paregoric to addict indts Niduals in wholesale quantities,
 Addiction to the use of pareEerie. while not ordinarily considered as bad as the use of morphine, cocaine or heroin, is sort of double habit in that each ounce contains not oniy nearly two grains Of opium, but tho equivalent of pretty good drink Of whisky, and the camphor in 1t doesn't { help any" the inspector said
 Situation Improved,
 Efficiency os federal county and city officials has brought the number of illt.c. Gr iti0c:aat dispensers Of narcotics Co a point where Birmins- ham is not as bad off as tho average city of its size. according to the in- spectGr. Acti e co-oDeration and sup port of citizens and officials Is abso- futeiy ncce ssary 10 cut down abuses of the law, he said.
 The narcotic inspector sooffed at the theory that many of BirminS- hams axe murders have been coni- mitted by drug addicts erased be- cause they were unable to obtain supplies He said he had no evidence in any case to show that violence had been resorted to as a means to obtain drugs.
 Addict practitioners. of whom there are a few in Birmingham, are dealt with leniently by the government provided they willingly consent to forfeit their right to prescribe mar cotfcs and take a cure, according to the inspector. This applies to prao- titioners who have themselves be- come addicted during practice, but who have not furnished narcotics to other addicts.
 Tcchnica1 Tsrrs.
 Technical work in handling the narcotic work involves inspection of records and practices of importers, manufacturers, compounders and pro- ducers, wholesale dealers. retail deal
  physicians, dentists, veterinary sur geons. hospitals and anyone legally authorized to handle narcotics bg having registered and paid the spe- cial tax proS.ded for under the law, the inspector said.
 Chronic vio1ators of the narcotic law can be successfully dealth with in only one way, according to MT. Butler. Strong enough cases must be made against them to send them to the penitentiary, the longer the term the better.
 Cases Disposed Of.
 Cases disposed Of at the March tem of federal court. handled by city, county and federal officers, as re- viewed by the inspector, are;
 Mrs. Jennie Reid, convicted and to be center ~ed April 7. Mrs. Reid and Billte Smith were arrested August 30, 1922, by city detectives. Cocaine and morphine were found in Mrs. Reid's possession. She was convict ed March l6. 1923. after having been indicted February 2s. Billie Smiths husband. J. Shrimp Smith, recently pleaded guilty and was given one month in jail on charge of violating the narcotic law.
 Archibald c. Robinson. arrested by city detectives. was given two years in federal prison at Atlanta. being 8euteuCSQ MATCn l.
 J. H. Sharp, alias R. c. Molloy. M D.. alias R. A. Jones, arrested Jan uary IT. 1923. for grand larceny by city officers. Indicted February 2S and sentenced to year and a day at Atlanta on a charge of violating the Harrison act March 1.
 Henry Chapman Upcharch, alias Chattay Upchurch. arrested Febru- ary l4 by city officers. was indicted February 2S and sentenced to two years at Atlanta March 1.
 o o o
 Mamie Mays Arrested.
 Mamie Mays. l413z Eighth avenue. north. arrested November 1. 1922, was sentenced Saturday to Is months in the womsn's prison at Caldwell, N. J. She ia alleged to have ped dled'' for long time. Clara Mo Donald and Frank Edward Brammer were arrested with Mrs. Mays and are awaiting trial
 William L. Mathis, said to have been giving another man a hypo- --------------