DRUGS AND THE DRUG HABIT

Evening Star, Issue 17850, 22 December 1921, Page 5

DRUGS AND THE DRUG HABIT

The medical correspondent of the ‘Daily Tchg.aph' writes: Of all the chains with which humanity voluntarily binds iteelf none arc stronger than tho habit of taking certain drugs. It is for psychologic!s to pondiv on there mysterious workings of trie will by which it gradually surrenders that supreme gift of evolution which wa call inhibition. Of tho animal kingdom, certainly, man nevertheless is greater than all animals as such in that he possesses a power of saying "No." Possibly in come lower typen voluntary inhibition exists in rudiment, bub it is in man aLono that it has boon greatly developed. Yot it is this priceless distinction, this guiding factor, in bi« daily life that is surrendered by thceo who become caught by the lure of stimulants and narcotics. For tho medical man the problem is very difficult; ha ecco tho tiring at a dfeeaec of the mind leading to lira wreckage of the body. In the victims of the drug habit the doctor is mainly concerned with an endeavor, to nuiimaiu the failing physical fur.olions whilst (treking where ho can to find a means of .strengthening the weakened will. Put it cannot be said that tho treatment of tho martini and physical disorder ft coeluted with drug taking is particula’ly cuccescful to-day. in spite of all Ike efforts. As is well known, many drug takers become addicted to both morphia and cocaine. It in lbs cuts?, of these things that the more they are tel ed on the tnoic do they torment (hsir devotees into a craving for more varied stimulus. Wo make a uric take in glossing ov-.r the hono.o of such situations iw these unhappy members of society fail irrlo, - for time "after time the first stops are taken in ignorance of what racy follow. Tam enough, everyone knows that certain drugs arc d'uigerouj thing-, but ignorance of their terrible capacity for getting hold of certain temperaments is orsantiallv prevalent to-day. In spite of all that has bssn written on the subject, and of the miserable tragedies related in the paper; at various times, there are many who believe themselves beyond the reach of drug fascination, but it is a fact that in thin matter “ho that tlr.nketh he standoth should take great heed lest ha fall.” The dread possibilities of drug misuse cannot be too w dely known. Illnesses, great or small, come to most households, and domestic remedies will ahvay- - ha with us; but everyone should make it a definite inks of life never to resort to opium, morphia., cocaine, or any strong sedative or stimulant drug except under immediate medical supervision. it is a curious thing, though apparently true enough, that a drug given by a doctor can bo left off much more readily at his direction than when it is taken without advice. The- now regulations which have juct coma into force arc undoubtedly a step in the right direction, and it is to be hoped that they will do much .to .minimise toe 'unrestricted we of dangerous drugs. It is possible that they may be found to hamper medical m:-n unnecessarily in their daily practice; but if so, posab-y minor modifications can bo made to avoid this without in the least lessening tho safeguards they provide for tho public.