DRUG ALLEGATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22580, 19 November 1936, Page 12

DRUG ALLEGATION

DANCE CONFECTIONERY DOCTOR'S EMPHATIC DENIAL {BV TELEGIIAI'H —OWN CORRESPONDENT] NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday A suggestion that confectionery supplied to young people at New Plymouth dances was adulterated with dangerous and noxious drugs after it was purchased from shops was denied by a well-known medical man. Tho allegation was made by Mr. J. T. Griffin at the annual meeting of the Taranaki Justices of the Peace Association. "I was startled to hear of the allegations," said the medical man. "Such an obvious misrepresentation should not be allowed to go uncontradicted. Jt can bo categorically denied that such practices are prevalent, for the simple reason that drugs cannot be procured because of the very stringent regulations governing the purchasing of dangerous drugs. Apart from tho great difficulty of concealing and making palatable any drug, it is obvious that young people could not get a supply and would be too frightened to uso thorn, nor could tho effect on the individual be predicted. If objection to dances for young people rests on no sounder basis than the statement of Mr. Griffin, it is time that associations such as the Justices of tho Peace Association should cease to waste their time discussing such matters, which can only bo a source of futile anxiety to those who have the welfare of the rising generation at heart."