THE SPREAD OF THE DRUG HABIT by Australasian Good Health

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Aug 23, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 34.

THE SPREAD OF THE DRUG HABIT.

By Australasian Good Health

ONE of the most threatening of the sociological questions which the influence of the physician calls him to meet, is the astonishing spread of various drug habits. The rapidity in the increase of the consumption of those substances whose influence upon the nervous system leads to their habitual use, is truly horrifying to those who are interested in the physical welfare of the nation. The statistics collected by the committee on drug habitues of the American Pharmaceutical Association are of ominous portent. According to the report there was an increase of over 57,000 lbs. in the amount of opium imported into U. S. A. in 1902 compared with the figures of the previous year, and at the time of the publication of the report, the figures of 1903 bade fair to surpass those of 1902. Still more astonishing are the figures for the consumption of salts of morphine. The amount of this alkaloid consumed in the first nine months of the year 1903 was nearly 120,000 ounces, considerably more than twice as much as the amount imported for the twelve months of 1901. Nor has this increase in the consumption of drugs been limited solely to preparations of opium. The amount of cocaine imported has increased in the past two years about fifty per cent., while the consumption of chloral is more than six times as large.