DRUG SLAVES

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1925, Page 4

DRUG SLAVES

( R FATED BY MODERN LIE I'

In spite of the special spread of knowledge about their terrible cflects, drugs still claim ilieir host ol vi< tims. Drugs have been known for about 2.01 K) years, and yet it is a melancholy I'nri. that in these days of high tension, men and women more frequently resort to them, writes Ernest T. Neil thereon l. C.8.E., ,1.1*.. in the London “Daily Mail.”

It is fondly imagined that they will produce a stimulating ('fleet or engender brilliance of thought, and morbid people, occasionally resort to cocaine and alcohol lo relieve varying states of mental depression. There is. too, another class which goes to drugs in a ceaseless quest of new sensations. In this way cocaine, morphine and heroin are employed for a variety of unworthy and illicit ends. Beginning often somewhat harmlessly, the unhappy victim is ere long afflicted with a craving which is only satisfied by ever-increasing doses, until, maybe, death follows by misadventure nr intent. The use of narcotics for their stimulating or soothing properties is an extremely dangerous practice and one that inevitably and remorsclv leads to terrible habits of vice. Most unfortunately, too, there is no end to such disasters, for the drug fiend derives intense satisfaction from converting others.

Cocaine, morphine, and heroin are deliberately taken by people of tin’s vicious type in the hope that the strings of now sensations may be played upon. Thus, among women of the underworld, cocaine and heroin are commonly taken (generally as snuff) with the object of producing mental brilliance or physical (attractiveness. These attributes, even if produced at all. are rapidly followed by intense depression. This feeling calls for removal by a further dose, and thus the vicious circle revolves. • Others resort to drugs to relievo acute nervousness when appearing in public. They want to overcome ‘‘stage fright” and bring about a false sense of well-being. doping horses. Another vicious and inhuman practice. very rightly severely punished Inracing authorities in this country, is tiie doping of horses. A horse of nervous and uncertain temperament, when given an injection of cocaine hypodermically, might in a few minutes become more tractable. Shortly afterwards the horse becomes much worse in temper than licfore, and it is ruined by repetition. In the Fen counties of England lutid-annm-tnking used to be common, and the older chemists could recount incredible facts concerning the number of “Winchesters' - (half-gallon bottles of laudanum) and the pounds of crude opium supplied to the country folk on market days. Til those cases laudanum was taken to counteract malaria and marsh fever. '■ “Dope,” or “Snow” now familiar

words owing to the publicity given in the Billie Oarleton and similar cases, is the salt cocaine hydrochloride—a shining white crystalline powder. This is frequently mixed with some inert substance (often boric acid)' which latter swells the hulk of the powder, nnct incidentally, also swells the profits of the sellers. It is used as a snuff generally, and taken in this way, the drug has an extraordinary tendency to enslave its users. A craving may be established in a day or two, and soon an addict may be a moral and mental degenerate. “Bhang'’ and “hashish” are preparations of cannabis jndica the Indian hemp. “Charish” is a form of the plant prepared for smoking. It is in common use in Eastern countries, and a ease of its sale in England (under the name of “Persian opium”) was recently reported. According to a wellknown toxicologist, this drug produces pleasurable sensation and is a deli riant poison. It is now included in the list of drugs and addiction and is scheduled under the. Dangerous Drugs Act a prompt and timely piece of legislative action. SMUGGLERS IN THE UNDERWORLD.

Prostitution and the White Slave traffic were at one time important factors in the development of drug addiction among the underworld class. It is to this cause, as well as to the ensnaring properties or morphine and cocaine, quite fu much as to their deadliness as poisons that Great Britain owes the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1920. Cocaine, morphine, and heroin have been smuggled into this country in the past in large quantities—Brilliant Chang and Mivagawa being famous

traffickers. It is distributed to furtive street hawkers in those great centres of our papulation where so-called “gay” life claims devotees and victims. Although. Scotland Yard is ever active and vigilant, it is 1 eared that Chang’s mantle may have passed on to even more baffling successors. 1,000.030 ADDICTS IN AMERICA. For several years special attention has been devoted to drug addiction in America.. It was estimated that the number of drug addicts in the United States exceeded one million :n 1918. . ,

Drug addiction is an international question, ami cannot- be dealt with piecemeal. As far as Groat Britain is concerned. I am persuaded that, strong as the stranglehold undoubtedly was becomin; at one time, at the present time th< vicious and illicit use of babit-formiug drugs is certainly not on the increase. An enlightened public opinion is beginning to regard these drugs as evi' tilings. Restrictive penal legislation undoubtedly lias helped tremendously to bring this about, but 1 am sure that the co-operation and good v/il! of tho medical and pharmaceutical professions from the public’s surest protection. ■