The Wrangell sentinel., 1924-04-24
Information t Regarding the
 Narcotic Evil

IoPiuhlJ hdNC uCCh uoSu bO SAPtoAh mankind for centuries. About 100 years ago a chemist discovered how to produce morphine from opium. About 50 years ago another chemist. Experimenting with the leaves of the coco plant, produced cocaine. In 1898 heroin, another opium deriva- tive. four times as powerful as nor phine, was discovered.
 With the advent of heroin, the great increase in narcotic addiction, at present recognized by sociologists as peril to the race, began. Heroin apeared in America in 1909 in the practice of medicine. At first it was not believed to be habit-forming. The medical profession, after a time, outlawed it's use, and it is no longer recognized as a legitimate drug in medical practice.
 Soon, however, heroin was recog- nized as more capable of commercial Exploitation for addiction purposes than any other narcotic drug. The great expansion of narcotic addic- tion in America, given impetus by heroin, dates from about 1910. This expansion continues almost un- checked, in spite of legal restraint and effort at salvage of victims. The appalling increase in crimes of vio- fence, causing virtual reigns of ter TOT for extended periods in our great cities. has been parallel with the in- crease in narcotic addiction.
 European chemists have discover ed how to manufacture narcotics from coaltar. New drugs are antici- pated even more powerful than those now used with such terrible results.
 In America alone addicts number in the millions. They burden the dockets of the criminal courts, feder- al, state and municipal Bigger jails are being built to take care of them Members of grand juries, with the close view they have of criminality and its causes, are appalled, to dis cover the amount of crime originat- ing in narcotic addiction, or associ- ated with it.
 America, richest country in the world, and the country with no ap- parent enemy. is the special object live of organized exploitation. The latest reliable figures show that Italy consumes one grain of narcotic drugs per capita per year, Germany, two; England. three; France, four and the United States, 36 grains.
 Already the amount consumed in the United States is enough to drug every man, woman and child in the entire nation for 30 days out of every year. We need not wonder at the persistent wave of crime and oth- CT alarming symptoms in our social structure.
 The psychology of addiction shows the addict to be inherently and potentially a criminal. a recruit ing agent for addiction, a peddler of narcotics. Medical men now consid- CT addiction, as to possibility of cure, in class with leprosy and cancer.
 Religious conversion, affecting profound physiological and psycho- logical changes, now is considered 1 eo OC eAC ouVohCcu duuICl 5 OILY UOpR of freedom.
 Addicts come to consider their drug supply as paramount-a mat ter of life and death. The physical craving and tolerance, growing with addiction, demand an ever-increas- ing quantity. The average addict takes ten grains of morphine daily, 80 times a normal dose, and is com pelled to pay $1 grain and upward. It is estimated that more than nine-tenths of all murders, hold-ups and daring robberies are now com mitted by addicts. It is especially the addict of heroin who is capable of cruel and daring crime. The name "heroin" is derived from the navchOloUv Cf tho odasaA :. Aru