THE DRUG LIE NAILED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4460, 30 August 1922, Page 4

THE DRUG LIE NAILED.

, The liquor traffic in N.Z. is this month circulating the following statement regarding .alleged drug addic-> tion in the U.S.A.: “In 1919 the import of Opium was 750,0001 b, in 1920 1 it jumped to 1,100,0001 b." Official fig- ■ ures' supplied direct by the U.S. De- ! partment of Foreign Commerce gave I the import of opium for 1919 as 316,1'7131b,I'7131b, wlitich is less than half what the liquor traffic says it was. In 1920 the import was. 224,1521 b, or just about one-fifth of what the liquor traffic says it was. In 1921 the import was only 96,6681 b. Taking round' figures, the imports of cocaine into the U.S.A, in 1919 were 12,0000 z, and in 1921, 7000pz; morphia in 1919 was 15,'0000z and in 1921, 31600 z, These immense reductions the liquor traffic' calls, “an alarming increase” This is one only, but a typical sample, of the liquor traffic mis-representatioirs about the effects of prohibition in the U.S.A. Ask the liquor traffic if any drug evil is found in No-license districts of NZ. Ask them, top., how they make this alleged increase in drug taking because of the absence of alcohol, square with their statements that, there is more drinking than ever in the U.S.A, since prohibition. If folks are getting the drink, why do they need the traffic wiirjjse*cooked figures to mis-lead-ytnr'about drugs, can you trust 'anything else they say about prohibition ? Keep your eye on the liquor lie when (he “Trade” is talking prohibition’.—N.Z.. Alliance Publicity.