SALE OF DRUGS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2203, 16 July 1914, Page 8

SALE OF DRUGS

g :— RESTRICTION URGED. Tlio question of talcing steps to combat t'ae evil arising from tho indiscriminate sale ,o'f drugs such as morphia und cocaine, and preparations, patoht or otherwise, containing such drugs,' is to received attention when additions nre being made to the existing regulations under the Salo of Food and Diugs Act. Mr. T. K. Sidey questioned the Government on the matter yesterday. He thought that there wore too many avenues by which.those addicted to the drug habit could buy the drugs. ■ If they wanted ,to properly control the sale of such drugs, they would have to restrict the number of ipersons_ who could sell tliem. Doctors' prescriptions were sometimes used to procuro the drugs. . Mr. L. M. Isitt said the matter was, a pressing one. Scarcely a month passfed without cases being brought under notice where it was impossible to prevent those addicted to the habit get'ting the drugs. Not only should a doctor's certificate be issued before any person could get the drugs, even from certificated chemists, but no certificate should bo used on more than one occation.. The Fon. R. H. Rhodes, Minister in charge of Public Health, said that the matter npaht be better dealt with - under the Sale of Poisons Act. A clause had been prepared whereby the salo of such preparations was prohibited, except when specified bv a registered medical practitioner. Mr. Isitt: That will be satisfactory if you prevent the prescription being used again. Sir. Rhodes: T do not see how that can he prevented. ■> Mr. the prescription, and see tho,t it is only issued once. Mr. Rhodes: I fail to sfie how it can be done, but I am prepared to go into the matter.