DRUG ADDICTION

the practice of taking drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, morphine or opium. The use of such narcotics, as well as of veronal and like products of ooal tar, is habit-forming, and the user becomes known as.a drug addict. In many cases the acquisition of the habit has been primarily due to the presence of drugs in physicians’ prescriptions. The drug prescribed may be a sedative or soporific, like chloral, sulphonal, headache powders, alcohol or opium. A le but not small influence in the formation of the habit is contact with drug-using acquaintances or through di ipation. Suffering in incurable diseases produces the practice with a small number. Patent medicines, especially remedies for bronchial troubles, contain various soothing drugs; headache remedies, epilepsy and tobacco-habit cures also contain narcotics. The use of such preparations has tended to prepare the way for the foundation of a permanent -drug habit. Drug addiction has produced an extensive traffic in narcotics. The busine is largely conducted in the underworld and supported by criminals. Drugs lead to crime, just as crime leads to drugs. To some extent the traffic is controlled by the Harrison anti-narcotic law, which requires that dealers in opium or coca leaves or any derivatives thereof shall register with the collector of inland revenue of the district, and each sale must be recorded. Several of the states have similar laws. There has grown in consequence an illicit drug traffic of considerable dimensions with world-wide ramifications. In 1922 Congre pa ed a measure prohibiting the import into the United States of any narcotic except sufficient crude opium and coca leaves (from which heroin and cocaine and other derivatives are manufactured) for medical and legitimate uses only, as determined by a Narcotic Board. The act also limits the export of narcotics. In New York State, the Boyland law which provides drastic regulations for the sale of opium, chloral, cocaine and heroin is a representative law.