OBTAINED DRUG.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20205, 16 January 1934, Page 1

OBTAINED DRUG.

Forged Signature to Prescription. MARRIED WOMAN FINED. As a result of forging a doctor’s signature in order to obtain two dangerous drugs, Mrs Rita Mary Green, of Waikari, appeared before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning. She was fined £2 and costs, the Magistrate taking into account the representations of counsel, Mr Tracy, when determining the penalty. The charge was to the effect that on April 2y and September 17, 1933, defendant procured a dangerous drug (atropine sulphate and morphine sulphate) for a person not a licensee under the regulations. Senior-Sergeant Fox said that on the dates mentioned the defendant, by forging prescriptions, was able to procure the drugs. She tried several chemists before securing the drug. In one of the alleged prescriptions, the amount of drug mentioned would have been a fatal dose, but the chemist altered the figures. Defendant had been given small quantities of the drug for asthma, and it was feared that she was coming under the influence. She had tried to get the drug several times. The forgery, it was considered, was the result of the drug craving, and the charge covered the whole offence. Had Been Under Treatment. Air Tracy said that the prosecution had stated the case fairly. The drugs had been the onlj’ thing to do defendant’s ailment any good. Doctors had prescribed medicines containing the drugs for six years. Defendant had no means, and her husband’s salary averaged £3 10s. Counsel had been urged to ask for suppression cf the name, and as it was a case of chronic disease there could be justice in the claim. If the name were published the defendant’s life in a small town would be made miserable. “ There are serious features,” said the Magistrate. “ This is a good imitation of the doctor’s signature. Ilad representations not been made by counsel I would have considered the case one for heavy penalty. However, I will give weight to the extenuating circumstances urged by counsel.” The Magistrate made no order for suppression of the name.