“BLACK SHEEP” CHEMISTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 484, 13 October 1928, Page 13

“BLACK SHEEP” CHEMISTS

Traffic in Dangerous Drugs Not Proved to be Unfounded Fiction CITY MISS I ONER’S REPLY DEPLYING to Auckland chemists who allege that the statements of an ex-drug addict are “utterly absurd and dangerous, the City Missioner, the Rev. C. G. Scrimgeour, says he has definite evidence to support the truth of the statements. One mixture that is deliberately mixed and sold to topers is a mixture of cocaine and methylated spirits,” he says. "This is sold as ‘cough mixture’ at Is a small bottle and it’s only supplied to known addicts.”

Black sheep" chemists are alleged by Mr. Scrimgeour to trade in this and similar ‘dopes.’ DIFFICULTIES OF EXPOSURE The City Missioner says: ‘‘The fact that for a period of five years investigations have been carried out by the board with very little result (insufficient to prove one instance of illegal sale of poisons) does not prove that there is very little drug-taking, but rather goes to show the difficulties that lie in the way of exposing such a traffic. ‘‘The charge that my statements were general and absurd is by no means justified. I have more evidence on this subject than I am able at this time to disclose, as such action would mean divulging the identity of those from whom my information was obtained. Board has been doing everything in its power to prevent the sale of habitforming narcotics, but the statement of Messrs. Smith and King that there are black sheep in every flock suggests, ipso facto, a leakage. The very fact that chemists generally act in the best interests of the public causes the traffic to gravitate to the source from whence comes the desired drug. “I would go so far as to suggest that the majority of chemists know of certain of thei.* number who are not worthy of such a high profession. In speaking with several, I am convinced that such is the case. “SUNDAY TOPERS’ 7 “With reference to the chemists’ warning regarding drug addicts’ purchases (as in the case mentioned about a. mixture for a horse), is this warning regarded by the black sheep? I do not cast any slur upon the chemists, nor do I blame them for the actions of the

black sheep, but these latter are certainly a little too numerous and unscrupulous for the general good of th« public. “With reference to Mr. Bagley’s statement • ‘that patent medicines do not contain nearly as much alcohol as people believe,’ from my experience of the Sunday demand by ‘topers’ for these I would suggest that they contain more ’kick’ than chemists are given to believe. “It must be pointed out that chemists are not only to blame for the indiscreet sale of patent medicines. Many of these can be bought at the grocers and department stores.’’