DRUG-TAKING INCREASES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29108, 21 January 1960, Page 18

DRUG-TAKING INCREASES

Alarm In South Africa (By a Reuter Correspondent) JOHANNESBURG. A sharp increase in drug addiction in South Africa, especially in tranquilliser and “pep” pills freely obtainable at chemist shops, is alarming doctors and medical men. Besides these, it is believed that supplies of prohibited drugs like cocaine, heroin and morphia are being sold, particularly in Johannesburg and other large cities. The great majority of recent addicts, and those who can no longer afford the expensive and difficult to get drugs, are using three or four types of “pep” and tranquilliser substances which can be bought cheaply at any chemist shop. One of the most popular, which costs 3s 9d for 10 tablets, has a hypnotic effect, induces a feeling of well-being, dispels inhibitions and gives the general symptoms of drunkenness. A Johannesburg doctor said that he had come across many patients who had become addicted without knowing it. After starting off with a few tablets when tired or depressed, they gradually increased the dose to as many as 20 or more a day. One woman was found to be taking 300 tranquilliser tablets a week. Many patients had become addicted to various slimming tablets which contained small quantities of habit-forming drugs. “There should be much stricter control of all drugs, including those so-called ‘harmless’ ones,” he said. “Even drugs already on the prohibited list are being obtained by addicts, sometimes fron/ careless or unscrupulous chemists.” Mr A. L. Coetzee, superintendent of the Northlea Institute for Alcoholics, near Johannesburg, said that several of the drug addicts being treated there now were addicted to a well-known sleeping and tranquilliser tablet. Alcoholics often turned to the tablet when they could not get a drink.