A VICTIM OF DRUGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19469, 27 October 1926, Page 17

A VICTIM OF DRUGS.

AN EX-AUCKLANDERS CASE. TWO ESCAPES FROM D OTO ROA. TRAGIC STORY TOLD IN SYDNEY. [FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT, "| SYDNEY. Oct. 11. A few months hack so much evidence was placed by police officials with deep experience of Sydney's underworld before the Chief Secretary, Mr. Lazzarini, concerning the ravages of drugs that the Minister decided to formulate legislation to deal with the drug evil in all its forms. The measure has not yet come before the Legislative Assembly, but in the meanwhile Mr. Lazzarini approved the police commissioner's action of detailing special men to detect the taking of drugs, and to care for drug addicts. Certainly the most pathetic ease which has come to light since these detectives assumed their new responsibilities was that in which a former Auckland chemist was taken in charge by the detectives at the beginning of this week. The detectives were tolri a tragic tale by the man, who gave the name of Fife. He said that years ago he had been a chemist in Auckland. Once, when sick, he took to drugs, principally heroin, and though he tried desperately to overcome tho craving, his power of resistance was gradually weakened, and in a few years he had become a " dope fiend." In the end, Fife lost his business, he said, and became almost destitute. So bad was his condition that he had to he taken to Koto Roa Island. Fife (old the detectives that once, to obtain the insidious drug for which he craved, he stole a frail little sailing boat, and sailed 22 miles to Auckland. It was a perilous voyage, and the extraordinary pari of it was that he had no experience of sailing, and, in fact, had never been in a sailing boat in his life. lie was taken back to the island, but again succeeded in escaping, and reached Auckland, whence he came to Sydney. On Monday last Fife was found wandering round the city, penniless and broken in health and spirit. His strange appearance and behaviour resulted in his being taken to the detective office, where he presented a terrible appearance. Apparently half-dazed, he sat with his head lying on a table, and now and then he would groan and move restlessly, like a man in a nightmare. The next day Fife was ciiarged in the police court with vagrancy, and was remanded for observation and treatment. One of tho features of the new drag bureau of the police force here is that attempts will be made to cure drug addicts, as well as arrest them. A cablegram published last Saturday stated that the Sydney police had been notified that Fife's relatives were not prepared to pay his return passage to New Zealand. He is now being cared for by the police pending further inquiries.