SALE OF DRUGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 June 1926, Page 6

SALE OF DRUGS

STATEMENTS-REITERATED (By Telegraph—Special to The Mail.) CIiRISTCHURCH, June 11. “In reference to the sale of drugs,” said Mrs A.' E. Herbert, to a Star reporter, “I see that a wholesale druggist of Dunedin says ‘many people who have spoken since the allegations were made don’t know what they are talking about. One lady said that'the Drug Act had not been amended for fifty years, etc. She was wrong, for about five years ago the Poison Act was introduced and it. had been the means of effectively controlling the sale of drugs.’ The lady referred to is myself, for I made these statements and I know I am correct in my statements too. • A year ago this month I referred to the number of drug addicts I had come in contact with, who were taking very large quantities of morphia, etc., and seemed to have no difficulty in procuring it. When the tacts were publislhed many chemists scouted the idea that it was possible, and my statement that one woman .was taking £2 worth of morphia a week was hardly credited. The President of the Pharmacy Association called on me and I gave him the names of quite a number of persons who were drug addicts, and also gave him the name of the chemist in Christchurch who was supplying huge quantities. The woman had got £l2, £l6 and £2O worth at a time, and I was able to produce the receipts and to> show where the chemist had written to this person informing her when a shipment would he to hand. We also placed a drug addict in one of the hospital institutions and he received a large quantity of morphia and a hypodermic syringe by post. Another‘woman in an institution received large quantities from an Auckland chemist. In connection with the Pharmacy Association 1 learned that the old Act did not cover the sale of narcotics, and that as far as the Act was concerned the chemist could sell as much morphia, heroin, and other narcotics'as he chose so long as it was labelled poison. Fortunately the Pharmacy Association is anxious to check the sale of these dangerous drugs, and it has a moral obligation not to supply unless with a doctor s prescription. Also if members are suspicious ot a patient they joass a chain message around. However, all chemists do not. belong to the Association and there are always some people ready to make money, even if it aids another’s downfall. The Christchurch Pharmacy Association has urged the Government to amend the Act time and time again. The Christ .church brapeli of the British. Medical Association and Hospital Board have carried resolutions, also urging an amendment. I have endeavoured to bring the matter before every organisation hoping that, something would he done. The Minister assured us that a Bill is prepared, and it, will he introduced this session. I know the Poisons Act lias been amended, hut only to deal with such poisons as arsenic, strychnine, lysol, etc., but not morphia and other narcotics. T am indeed surprised that a wholesale druggist, is not more conversant with the Act.”