DRUG FIENDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 225, 21 September 1921, Page 7

DRUG FIENDS.

RARE IN NEW ZEALAND,

A DEGRADING HABIT. "No. you will find very few people in Auckland addicted to noxious drugs," said a leading chemist to a "Star" reporter who was making inquiries about the prevalence or otherwise of tbe drug habit which is said to be gaining more headway in some of the Australian cities than the authorities like. This opinion concerning Auckland was borne out by further inquiries made, and it was found that there was a strong and healthy opinion among chemists against this terrible habit which makes a moral and physical wreck of its victims. "It is an appalling habit," said one chemist, '"and we cannot be too thankful that it is not prevalent in this country, for my experience convinces mc that the rest of the big towns arc just as free as Auckland."

A doctor or a chemist can tell one of these unfortunate people at once even when passing him or her in the street. There are infallible signs which accompany the taking of drugs. There is little or no inquiry in Auckland for drugs such as morphia or cocaine, which are the two most commonly used by people who get the habit. It is rather a significant fact, however, that every time tbe Vancouver boat comes in the chemists have strangers in for these drugs or others of a similar kind. It is notorious that the use of drugs is one of the curses of modern life in some parts of the United States, and it is Americans who get the credit of introducing the habit into Sydnov.

There is a wive difference between the morphia disease and the cocaine habit which is the pet obsession of American of American and other victims. The and other victims. The morphia disease may be acquired because of the use of morphia fur the relief of pain. When it is fully established it is a disease, and the victim is helpless and cannot abandon the drug merely by exercising his own will. He is in the toils of a monster with which he is utterly unable to cope. There is little, if any, pleasure from the use of tbe drug at this stage. It is continued because its disuse entails suffering which the victim is unable to bear.

Morphia becomes almost a condition of existence. Tbe heart will scarcely beat without it—the brain thinks only by it, and digestion is entirely dependent upon it. To its unfortunate slaves it is the synonym of vital force.

Cocaine, on tbe other hand, is usually taken as a dissipation. It is a stimulating drug, and exhilarates to a noteworthy degree. Tbe devotee then, however, comes back to earth with a thud, and more cocaine is sought. Few people who take cocaine habitually will do anything at all in the way of attention to business. They spend the day dosing themselves.

The drug produces delusions usually of persecution, and a cocaine victim is liable to turn on bis best friend.

Morphine addicts who get to the down-and-out 6tage often lake to cocaine for the new feeling of stimulation which it gives.