PROCURING DRUGS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17058, 12 June 1926, Page 5

PROCURING DRUGS.

ADDICTS FIND NO DIFFICULTY.

THE DANGEROUS DRUG ACT.

NOT AMENDED FOR 50 YEARS.

(Special te the flerulil.i CHRISTCHURCH, this dav

“In reference to the sale of drugs,” said Airs A. E. Herbert to a Star reporter, “I see that a wholesale druggist of Dunedin says many .people who have spoken since th‘o allegations were made do hot know wlial fitoy are talking about. One Indy said that the Drug Art had riot been amended for 50 years, etc. She was wrong, fot' about five years ago the Poison Act yeas introduced, and it has been a means of effectively controlling the sale of drugs,” “.The- lady referred to is myself for I made those siatements and 1 know 1 am correct in my staleinenls, too. A year ago this month 1 referred to the number of drug addicts 1 had come ia contact with who were taking very large quantities of morphia, etc., and seemed to have no difficulty in procuring it. When the facts were published many chemists'..scouted the idea that .it* was. possible, and* -mv- statement that one won’t ati was taking £2 worth of morphia a week was hardly credited. £2O WURTH- AT A TIME.

The president; of the Pharmacy Association called on me and I gave him the names of a number of persons who were drug addicts, and also gave him the naqje of the chemist in Christchurch who* was supplying a huge quantity. This woman had obtained £l2, £1(1, 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 be.to hand. Wo also placed a drug addict in one of Iho hospital institutions, and he received a large quantity of morphia and an hypodermic syringe by post. Another woman in an institution received a large quantity from an Auckland chemist. ”

In connection with the Pharmacy Association, I learned that the old Act did not cover the sale of narcotics, ahd that as far ns (lie Act was concerned a chemist could sell as much morphia, heroin, and other narcotics as' lie chose, so long as it was labelled poison. Fortunately the Pharmacy Association is anxious to chock the sale of these dangerous drugs, and it lias a moral obligation not to supply unless with a doctor’s prescription; also if members are suspicious of a patient they pass 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 other’s flown fall. AMENDMENT URGED.

The Christchurch Pharmacy Association has urged the Government to amend the Act time and time again. Tho Christclinrek branch of tho British Medical Association and. the Hospital Board have carried resolutions also urging an amendment. I have endeavored to bring the matter before every organisation, hoping that something would be done. The Alinister assured us that a Bill is prepared for the Dangerous Drug Act, and it will be introduced this session.

I know the Poisons Act has been amended, -but only to deal with such poisons as arsenic, strychnine, lysol, etc., but not, morphia and other narcotics. I am indeed surprised -Ihat a wholesale druggist is not more conversant with the Act.