Evening star., 1951-06-16
Probers Puzzled
By Sharp Rise
In Drug Addicts
Problem Expected
. With Veterans,
|. Not Teen-Agers

Three years ago, the Treasury
Departments Bureau of Narcotics
was finding things almost monot-
onous. and its men were rounding
up "the same old gang" of addicts.
Suddenly, narcotic addiction ma
tionally increased at a pace that
has made about 10000 more per-
sons addicts since 1949.
Why?
That's problem which is cur
rently puzzling several investiga-
ton committees, as well as Harry
j. Anslinger. commissioner of mar
cotics and veteran of the fight
against illegal drug traffic.
Mr.. AnSlinger estimates there
are today between $4,000 and co.
900 addicts in the country. Par
ticularly sharp is the increase Of
addiction among juveniles.
In 1916, only per cent OF the
patients at the United States Pub
lie Health Hospital at Lexington,
Ky. we're under 81. Now. about
l8 per cent of the patient popula-
ton are juveniles. The largest
single age group at Lexington in
1850 was the group between 81
and 80.
Case Histories Revealed.
Widespread investigations are
now under way by the Senate
Crime Investigating Committee
and New York State, which is re-
vealing an unsayory picture Of
addiction and fragrant dope ped
ding among New York City school
children. The Senate group Thurs
day released case histories Of
addicts, most of them in their
early 20s, who are in correction
institutions at Jessups, Md.
I'D like to know what's hap
|pening to juveniles, " says Mr.. Ans
linger. I'VE expected the problem
to arise among veterans returning
after the last war from areas
where narcotics were easily OBJ
tanned and openly used.
But the veterans group is clean
as a whistle. They have been no
trouble at all. Instead. juveniles
are taking up the habit"
Mr.. Anslinger cites several fac
tors he believes contribute to the
dope habit among juveniles.
From Irresponsible Homes.
Despite many reports that the
habit is also widespread among
children from good homes, Mr..
Anslinger maintains nearly all
young addicts come from homes
where:
\ l. There is inadequate parental
control.
2. There is lack of moral and
ethical values.
8. There is total disregard of
human personality and personal
responsibility.
However, as far as juveniles are
concerned, Mr.. Anslinger insists
that fortunately, the picture is
not as black as it has been painted
in some quarters" While not
wishing to detract from the seri-
BUSINESS Of the situation, he says
the condition has been made to
appear worse than it is because Of
"hysteria" and because the dope
racket makes good news copy,
The fact that the narcotics
trade has been played up in the
last few years in newspapers,
magazines, radio and the movies
may be reason why 1t has in
creased. he says.
Crest Now Reached.
But the crest of teen-age ad.
diction has been reached, Mr..
Anslinger recently told the United
Nations Commission on Narcotic
Drugs, of which he is a member.
He reported sit will continue to
decline if all governments tighten
up their controls; if they provide
heavier penalties for illegal grow
ers, manufacturers and wholesalers
and if Communist China closes its
heroin factories"
He points out Red China recent
ly offered to the world market 500
tons of opium-enough to equal
the medical needs of the entire
world for year.
| Legislation on a State national
and international level is badly
i. needed, he says.
4 Although the situation is serious
i, now, 1t was far worse in 1914, when
'Ipublic outcry brought about pas
sage of the Harrison Narcotics
Act. At that time, he says, one
person in every 400 was an addict
!. of some narcotic.
i From the time of passage Of the
act regulating the sale of mar
!. cotics until our entry into World
War /, the ratio dropped until
only one person in every 1900
was an addict.
Comparable Situation.
After World War situation
comparable to that which we are
now facing arose.
However, Mr.. Anslinger says, the
problem was twice as bad then as
it is now.
! Then, as now, there were many
investigations and demands TO,
new legislation and treatment
centers. But nothing was done.
Despite the inactivity on the
national scene, by World War Il
only one person in 10000 was ar
addict.
| However. he says. if it hadn't
been for the Geneva Convention
in 1881. limiting the manufacture
of drugs by signatory countries
there might now be as many a.
l million addicts in this country.
Sees Greatest Achievement.
On the national legislative level
, Mr.. Anslinger is hoping for pass.
, |age of a bill now before Congress.
, that would make mandatory {
two-year sentence for a first VIC
!, Ilation Of the Harrison Act. 1.-TWO
time losers" would automaticall!