N.Z. Fast Becoming Nation Of Drug Addicts

Chronicle (Levin), 4 March 1949, Page 7

N.Z. Fast Becoming Nation Of Drug Addicts

Press Association)

(Per

VvELLINekfuN, iuarch 3. i New Zealand was fast becoming 1 a country of drug addicts. The State was supplying an average of one pound's worth of drugs to each New Zealander every year. This was one of the points m an address given by Dr. E. W. Marples, president of the Association of County Coun'eils of England and Wales, at a civic recep* tion accorded him today. Other points of Dr, Marples' contentions were The average Maori ohtained ahout 30s worth of drugs yearly. The health schemes of England and New Zealand were hampered by too many sufferers from imaginary illnesses. The really sick people were finding the surgeries too crowded for quick treatment.

The national health services in England could learn many useful lessons from New Zealand 's hbalth scheme, said Dr. Marples. He expressed his admiration but said he lioped England would fall into one or two-.of the -pitfalls he, had seen in New Zealand 's- health schemq. All the hospitals, most doctors and 95 per cent of the people were in England 's health scheme, .said Dr. Marples. Suceess in any scheme was diffi-. cult to achieve in England now,'he proeeeded. Housing plans took priority over- all others. . ,Theshortages of steel and timber were" hampering reconstruetion. Inflation was another hiridrance. It had created a new class of poor. people. Those who retired on what were sufficient savings before the war, were living in hard- ' ship today!