Opium Poppy Research

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30958, 14 January 1966, Page 10

Opium Poppy Research

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 13. Opium poppies are being grown in New Zealand—legally. The poppies are grown under licence to the Department of Health “somewhere in the South Island.” A scientist doing research on the opium poppy is working with a private company which is producing opium under licence.

The scientist said tonight he was working on a poppy-breed-ing programme. He hoped to produce a higher morphine content in the plants. “This is the only place in New Zealand where the opium poppy is grown legally,” he said.

He said he thought poppies found in Lower Hutt gardens in recent weeks were not opium poppies. The police had taken some of the Lower Hutt poppies and the D.S.I.R. had checked and cleared them, Detective Superintendent A. L. Knapp said tonight. “They did not contain opium.”

The scientist said all poppies contained some opium. “But only the somniserum poppy has enough opium to be dangerous,” he added. Morphine and cocaine are among the by-products of the somniserum poppy.

Minor Injuries.—Robert Warren Townley, aged 13, of 26 Suffolk street, was treated at the Christchurch Hospital for bruising, and discharged, after his bicycle had been involved in a collision with a car in Colombo street about 4.25 p.m. yesterday. (