THE DRUG EVIL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5209, 28 November 1927, Page 3

THE DRUG EVIL.

GIRLS IN “ DOPE DENS.” A Sydney paper says:—A strenuous war is being waged by the police against traffickers in drugs. They tell harrowing stories of young girls found in “dope dens.” For years the hands of the police were tied, but since the amended Act governing the sale of drugs came into force good progress has been made towards stamping out the traffic. An unauthorised person in possession of drugs such as opium, morphine, cocaine, diamorphinei (commonly known as heroin), and ccganine, is liable to a fine of £lOO or imprisonment.

At police headquarters a “ drug bureau ” has been established, and is operating with success. Around Darlinghurstl the drug evil is more rampant. How the; habit had gripped several young girls was described by a detective. They were discovered in a notorious den, frequented by “ dope; ” sellers. Two cases arising out of the use of. drugs were in the courts . Bernice Beave,n (33), labourer, was fined £5 O' at the Paddington Police Court on a charge, of having been in possession of seven grains of cocaine, and was ordered to pay the penalty at the; rate of £lO a month, or go to prison for six months. It was stated by Detective Surridge that when he arrestled Beaven on October 29 he was in possession of the cocaine, and hq explained to the officer that he “got it from a man ; it cost us 2s 6d to get it, and we got. 5s for it.” Defendant had been seen by the detective in company with a man who tiraffickCid in cocaine.

Pleading to the magistrate to be sent to Long Bay Gaol, after his conviction at the Central Police Court on a charge of having cocaine in his possession, Charles Goodrich (33) presented a pitiable; spectacle. The evidence of Constable Jones was that when he arrested Goodrich in Castleireagh Street on Sunday night he made, a feeble struggle to evade capture.

In the patrol waggon on the way to the police station packets of cocaine were found on accused.

He begged to be allowed to retain one of thqm, saying that he was in a bad way, and it would make him better.

Mr Shepherd, S.M., imposed a penalty of £lOO, the default being six months’ gaol.