Evening star., 1924-11-19
STRICT DRUG CURB
PROPOSED BY j. S.
International Opium ParIey
Told Restriction of Produc-
tion Is Necessary.
By the Associated Press.

GENEVA, November 1s-A series
or proposals striking at the very root
or the evil caused by the misuse Of
narcotic drugs was presented to the
International Opium Conference here
today by the American delegation,
headed by Representative Stephen g.
Porter. Only by the most drastic re-
striction at the point OF production,
the Americans held, could the guam
tity or Illicit drugs reaching the peo-
pie OF the world be shut on or cur
tailed. Consequently they proposed
prevention of a surplus production of
raw opium and also Of the cocoa leaf,
from which cocaine is extracted
They also would prohibit absolutely
the distribution Of heroin, an opium
derivative, holding it unnecessary in
medical or scientific practice.
Besides the inhibitions on the pro-
duction of narcotic raw material, va
rious proposals were advanced for it's
handling in commerce where neces-
sary.
Provisions for Handling.
Provision was made for the produc-
tion for expectation, or the actual
expectation, of raw opium for the
purpose OF taking prepared opium
is now permitted, but the contracting
parties were asked to limit the num-
Der of towns and ports through
which such raw opium and cocoa
leaves were exported. An extensive
and strict system OF licenses for i'm
portation and expectation was sug-
gested
1t was recommended that imports
of raw opium for the purpose of maxi
ing prepared opium, which is gen.
orally used for smoking, be curtailed
in those countries where such use
now is permitted, the amount i'm
ported being reduced 10 per cent
each year until all importations
ceased. 1t was also suggested that
the contracting parties take meas
ures for the gradual suppression of
the manufacture of, internal trade
in and the use of prepared opium.
Under the program as outlined the
manufacture, sale and use of NOR
phine, cocaine and their respective
salts or derivatives would be effect
lively limited and regulated exclu-
sively to medical and scientific pur-
poses, and the Americans requested
cooperation among the nations to
that end.
A rigid system of licenses also was
suggested IOr this trade. with the
keeping of books and records to as
sure proper checks. It was proposed
that the contracting parties enact
laws making 1t a penal ofYense to be
in illegal possession of any of the
substances to which the convention
applied.
A central board was recommended.
to which the contracting parties
would. each year, furnish estimates
of their requirements for all pur-
poses, the signatory countries under
taking to prohibit importation In ex-
cess Of the quantities necessary.
In regard to raw opium, the produc-
ton. distribution, Importation and
expectation of which the convention
binds the adhering powers to con-
troll the attitude of the United
States, Representative Porter said, is
that 1t Is a dangerous drug, and that
Its use for other than strictly medic
inal or scientific purposes is unlaw-
full. The United States feels, he con-
tinued. that unrestricted production
OF raw opium or other such drugs
inevitably results in a surplus above
that required for medicinal and scien-
tif1c uses, and that the diversion of
1t or Its derivatives-morph her
DIN and codeine-into Illicit channels
of international traffic creates a.
problem OF universal international
concern.