The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-03-31
NARcoTIcs


We wonder now II the government
supply of narcotics to be used in
case Of war Will arouse such a con-
troversy as the recent report Of
caskets being ordered by the gov
eminent. Much was said about
government ordeSt for caskets being
a strong hint OF preparedness for
war. even though various eXplana-
tions were made 10 the contrary.
The same arguments may be ap'
Piled to the narcotics story.
News reports say that the gov
eminent is using confiscated mar
cotics 10 build up a huge emergency
stock OF pain-killing drugs for use
IN event Of war.
Large quantities OF opium and its
derivatiye. morphine, have been
stored in closely-guarded vaults al
the Treasury in Washington, ana
in New York for the day they may
be needed 10 relieve suffering OF
injured soldiers, sailors and civil
ians.
The narcotic stock-pile Is divided
into two classitications 4 three
year supply OF medical opium and
morphine for peacetime use in tAls
country as we'll as in other nations
watch nave been cut off from nor
nal sources by the war and an
emergency reserve OF morphine,
valued by narcotics bureau officials
at millions OF dollars This re-
serve. accumulated largely from
confiscated shipments which Snug
Flers attempted to bring into the
United States, is supposed to be
used only in event OF a national
crisis such as war.
The war seems to have converted
this country into AN international
depot for narcotics" virtually all OF
Latin America. Australia, India.
Africa and the Dutch East Indies
being dependent on the United
States for such supplies.
Most Of the morphine held by
this government came from Turkey
and Yugoslavia where Macedonian
opium, regarded as the best in the
world for medical purposes, is pro-
duced.
Our narcotic stock pile is suffi
cient 10 care for the normal needs
OF this country for about three
years, and because our shipments 10
other nations are increasing, special
efforts are made TO keep the
supply constant.
Tha t--a formulating the
supply began about two years ago.
The government began to purchase
large quantities OF the drug In the
Turkls5 and Yugoslavian opium
markets with the cooperation OF
American drug firms.
The emergency supply, the exact
amount OF watch is not disclosed,
is not 20 be released 10 other ma
lions. This stock. started after the
war began, was built around . nu-
cleus Of between 5000 and 10000
ounces Of morphine Quantities OF
codeine and crude opium have been
added to it. The Army and Navy
have first call on the emergency
stock.
This priceless supply was Sc
cured by private dealers. Several
drug companies put up st,eee5eee
j. apiece 20 buy II. al the govern
ments behest. II is a fine example
OF cooperation between the govern.
ment and private agencies. The
government saw public need for
a reserve stock Of this necessary
drug. The private companies went
out and bought II. And the govern
ment stores it for such use, public
or private, as may be found neces.
sary for the public good.
Eight million ounces Of quinine
have been added 70 reserve stocks
against some emergency which
might interfere with normal sup
ply
This phase Of preparedness Is by
no means complete. Similar coop
erative measures are being taken
to re-establish, the cultivation in
South America Of cincAona bark
II Is native there but. like rubber
its commercial production passed
TO the Dutch East Indies. which
might be cut off. Government re
searchers are also busy on possible
substitutes. Digitalis, mahuang
belladena, cascars. ipecac. pyreth
rum and rothenone are other ex
amples-new sources are beinz
sought. A Jewish refuge colony ir
Santo Domingo is developing the
castor bean and may provide Z
Western Hemisphere source fol
castor oil.
Preparedness in the supply o.
vitality necessary drugs is fin,
example Of what can be done by
cooperation OF government and pri
Vate enterprise. given understand
ing and goodwill on both sides.
r.