DRUG TRAFFIC EVILS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 548, 28 December 1928, Page 14

DRUG TRAFFIC EVILS

STARTLING ALLEGATIONS IN N.S.W. “RAMPANT IN THE STATE” Strong comment regarding the menace of the drug traffic, which, he said, was rampant in. New South Wales, was made at the Central Court, Sydney, by Inspector Robinson, of the Pharmacy Board, when Thomas Barnett, aged 37, a salesman. was sentenced to three months’ hard labour for having had five tubes of morphine and atropine in his possession. Replying to Mr. McMahon, S.M., Inspector Robinson said that deplorable cases came under his notice, through the use of drugs. “Girls of 18, and young men of the same age,” he said, “were affected in a manner that would break your heart. Recently I interviewed a woman who was nothing but a mass of punctures through the use of morphia. “The use of drugs is becoming rampant in New South Wales, and is affecting the welfare of the young people.” Witness said he questioned defendant in Holland Street about drugs. He replied: “Well, if I have, there are only the two of us here. If I give you the tablets it will be all right.” He then took from his pocket the tablets produced. The inspector said he took defendant to the Detective Office. On the way Barnett took two keys from his pocket and threw them to some boys in a laneway, and said, “Cop these, and get away with them.” The boys ran off with the keys. Witness said he had defendant under observation, and had seen him enter chemists' shops in Crown Street, Liverpool Street and other places. On one occasion he saw defendant in company with a man named Williams, whom witness knew as a reputed drug runner. In the hands of an unscrupulous man the tablets which numbered about 100, would be very dangerous. The tablets should be obtained only on a doctor’s prescription, he added. They were stocked at most chemists’ shops and were manufactured in Sydney. Defendant said he was not an addict, nor a trafficker. The drug was the property of a friend of his “Poor devil,” he said, “he uses them himself. I took them away from him with the idea of breaking him of the habit, and my intention was to destrov them.” The Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Hart. Defendant keeps the company of drug addicts and traffickers. Mr. McMahon, S.M., to defendant: lour statement is entirely unworthy of being believed. It is absolutely i ldiculous. AVhen it is realised what a devastating effect these drugs have it is easy to see that the matter is one of serious import. My duty is to endeavour to check this practice, and m my opinion fines are useless, for they are paid and the traffic g on.”