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Show GOVEm OFFICER TALKS TO DOCTORS ID DRUGGISTS The "Harrison Law," instituted to curb and eventually eliminate illicit traffio la narcotic drugs with its attendant at-tendant evils, was discussed before an assembly of Ogden druggists, physicians phys-icians and dentists last night at the Weber club, by Dr. C. A. Hascaft, government gov-ernment inspector for Utah and Nevada, Ne-vada, He preceded his discussion of tho technical points of the law, with a review of his activities since his af polntment last July, stating that he had covered the state of Nevada and made a record of his conferences with tho druggists, physicians and dentists respecting the "dope" traffic in that state. He had found many irregularities, irregulari-ties, he said, but believed them duo to lack of understanding of the Harrison Har-rison law. "These Irregularities," the inspector inspec-tor continues, "consisted principally of a failure to keep the required records. rec-ords. As soon as the faults were pointed out, haste was made to correct cor-rect the mistakes. To point out the mistakes of physicians, druggists and dentists of Utah regarding the handling handl-ing of narcotics is the purpose of mission to this state. I came here April 1 through the urgency of the federal government and began investigations inves-tigations in Salt Lake. I found infractions in-fractions there and some violations, but the great majority as elsewhere, were by those who did not understand under-stand the Harrison law and its requirements." re-quirements." "Dope" Fiend. "I wish to emphasize," the inspector inspec-tor stated, "that no physician can. under the provisions of the Harrison lwa. prescribe for a dope field, or a habitual user of narcotics. The law Is specific on that point. The physician, phys-ician, if it is absolutely essential that narcotics be used, must administer admin-ister it to the patient in his own office. of-fice. A regularly accredited nurse may administer narcotics to a patient pa-tient in a hospital under the direction of a physician. The law also states that a record of every grain used be kept." "This is necessary, to enable the government to keep a line on the amount of dope being used and for that purpose. It is the only way that a systematic supervision of the 'dope' situation can be accomplished. It not only enables the government to maintain a complete record of the amount of dope being used, but it safeguards the dispenser of the drug. The druggist, usually, is the one to suffer from a physician's mistakes or misunderstanding of the law on the subject." Dr Ilascall said the carelessness of physicians in diagnosing cases was responsible for moro dope fiends than any other cnuse. "For Instance." he said, "a physician physi-cian will examine a patient. He Is not decided as to the ailment. He administers a narcotic to relieve the pain, believing that a more complete diagnosis may be made under a new condition under which the patient might have had several hours' sleep. "This is a wrong attitude for a physician phy-sician to take, lie is not safeguarding safeguard-ing his own interests from a professional profes-sional standpoint. Neither is he looking look-ing after tho best interests of his patient. This one administration of nnrcotlc often gives asufferer a desire de-sire for something to relieve pain. If the drug is obttinable, the patient resorts to a more frequent use and finallv becomes a habituate. "If" the physician, in prescribing morphine, stales specifically the name of the 'incurablo case,' the possibility pos-sibility of causing more dope fiends becomes remote. This is a requirement require-ment and It must be adhered to by every person permitted to handle narcotics nar-cotics under the law." Dr Hascall said the congress that passed tho Harrison law accomplished accomplish-ed a greater work for humanity than it realized at the time, although the results of the operation of the meas-nro meas-nro wprfi crr.iduallv belnc revealed to both lawmakers and tho public in general. The only mistake In framing fram-ing the measure, he said, is seen in the fact that the act contains no provision pro-vision for the disposition of the "dope" fiend. , "In my opinion the so-called 'dope fiend," tho inspector continued, "is an insane person who requires the attention at-tention of the state. Every dope fiend should either be housed in a penitentiary or asylum where treatment treat-ment for those addicted to the drug habit is given." Dr. Hascall said the intent of the law was not to persecute handlers of narcotics, but to specify certain requirements re-quirements necessary to oradicate the evil. Keep the required records so that the inspector may be able to make a good report when he goes over the prescription file in making tno rounas or me arug hiuim, "" -concluding remark. Following his address, the inspector-entered inspector-entered Into a general discussion with his auditors, answering all questions from those seeking enlightenment on points about which they were in doubt |
