GROWTH OF DRUG HABIT.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3337, 15 November 1919, Page 3

GROWTH OF DRUG HABIT.

INcRIcA.sE 1N AUSTRALIA. 1 M.ELBouni\*E, Oct. 16. l Attention is drawn by the inspectori of inebriate instituti-onS‘in his annual report presented to Parliament to the, increasing use in Victoria. of n-arcotic drugs. In tlle°'statistics“silpplied it is shown that four chemists, five doctors, three dentists, and One clergynian had be'come_ so addicted to the drug habit that they had to undergo treatment in State institutions. Altogether 46 cases are ciled, including 11 women. The details of the cases enumerated show that some of the victims became accustomed to using‘ the drugs through constant contact with them in their profusions, or through the administration of drugs through illness. Opium, cocaine, morphiisa. clilorodylre,_. la.udu—num. morphine. ehlophine, heroin, and Vol‘-Ollal were included in the list of drugs. In various cases alarming doses of the various drugs were taken by patients. _ A doctor 50 years of age had taken morphine since his youth. For two years he had taken 15 -grains a day. \Vh-en admitted to the institution he ‘ was in an utterly helpless state, and it } took six weeks to cure him of the drug habit. After seven months’ treatment he left the institution in splendid health.