USE OF DRUGS CONDEMNED

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1934, Page 9

USE OF DRUGS CONDEMNED

INCREASING IN NEW ZEALAND COMMENT MADE BY MAGISTRATE. REGULATION MUST BE OBSERVED. FINE IMPOSED ON MANUFACTURER. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. "These regulations are framed in the interests of the public, indeed, of the people throughout the world. They were instituted by and have the backing of the League of Nations, with the object of preventing the circulation of certain dangerous drugs, the use of which I understand is becoming more common in New Zealand. It is a great pity. These drugs can do a lot of good when dispensed by a qualified practitioner but when dispensed indiscriminately might do a great deal of harm. We know of their harmful effects in the East and unfortunately in some European countries, too. In New Zealand, where we have an abundance of fresh air and good food, the necessity for it should not arise. The Health Department is only safeguarding the public in instituting such prosecutions as these.” In these words Mr. E. Mosley, S.M., called attention in the Magistrate’s Court to the dangers likely to arise unless the provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Regulations, 1928, were observed in their entirety by chemists. He imposed a fine of £5 and four fines each of £2 against George Bettie, manufacturing chemist, Christchurch, on charges of dispensing dangerous drugs pursuant to a prescription purporting to be signed by a practitioner, with whose signature he was not acquainted, without satisfying himself that the signature was genuine and of supplying John David, Vaughan McCleary, Charles Percy Cameron and Burton George Edwards, persons not having licenses, with dangerous drugs, such drugs not being dispensed pursuant to prescriptions complying with the requirements of the regulations. McCleary and Edwards were each fined £1 and costs for procuring drugs contrary to the regulations.