LATE LOCALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1929, Page 5

LATE LOCALS.

The mails which loft Auckland via Vancouver per Niagara on 15th De cumber arrived in London on 21st January.

Regulations were issued recently dealing with the precribisng, dispensing and sale of certain dangerous drugs, namely, opium, morphine, heroin, cocaine, eegonine, and Indian hemp. These were introduced in order to comply with New Zealand’s obligations under the Geneva. Convention of the League of Nations, and follow closely the regulations in force in Great Britain and Australia. The general public will lie affected in that no one will be able to obtain these drugs, or mixtures and preparations containing them, except on the prescription of their doctor for general use, of their dentist for local dental treatment, or of a registered veterinary surgeon for the treatment of animals. Such a prescription, moreover, can only be dispensed once, or under special conditions, three times. In connection with veterinary work it will lie of interest to farmers and stock owners to note that if the mixtures they use arc sufficiently diluted they fall outside the operation of the Act. In fairness to retail chemists the public should recognise the restrictions imposed by the new regulations, and should not attempt to obtain the abovementioined drugs unless prescribed for legitimate purposes.