H is for joy; International & federal narcotic laws

The following program is produced as a public service feature by the radio division of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago with cooperation from the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and the Illinois division of narcotic control. We present H is for joy. Throughout the history of mankind the strength of any nation has been somewhat measurable by the power of its law enforcement agencies. This has held true within the private walls of each individual government. However in an age when the world may be spanned in Momence there's an undeniable need for these governments to cooperate one with the other and create an encircling band of international strength

especially when the immoral powers of the world have united to break the present bans by smuggling pot or death narcotics. Ages for joy has presented some facts concerning the nature of addiction to narcotics and now under the main heading status of addiction. We want to talk about narcotics and the law. Laws are made to govern the wrongs one man would commit against another punishment a part of the law usually comes after guilt is proven. However at this point we do not intend to discuss punishment only the law. The illegal international smuggling of narcotics has been a violation of the law since 99 when the international opium commission met in Shanghai China

13 individual governments were represented nine resolutions were unanimously adopted. All attempted to control the illegal growth manufacture shipment and sale of narcotic drugs in 1912 the Hague convention agreed upon a number of general principles which are still the foundation and mainspring of all drug control. However this was not ratified by all nations immediately and not until 1952 where there are 70 nations who agreed to abide by these principles the Geneva Convention of nineteen twenty five failed to consolidate the nations into any agreement to limit the worldwide production of narcotics. But these same nations did eventually agree to report all illegal manufacture shipment and sale of narcotics to a central control board. This was a check by which illegal shipments could more easily be found. However enforcement was not

unified in this check. To a great extent was ineffective. Other conventions were held other international agreements made and in 1946 the United Nations assumed international control of narcotics under its commission on narcotic drugs. This group exists to unify and modify the past agreements of nations and to bring these agreements up to date. It also creates a strong bond of international control. All of these agreements and agencies have produced a gradual improvement in the control of narcotic addiction. Their job has been hard at times frustrating but improvement has and is being made. Later we will speak of current international problems and drug traffic. But now let's return to the United States and the laws which govern its narcotic traffic. In 1930 the United States Treasury Department established a federal agency for the control of narcotics.

The Bureau of Narcotics is a federal agency charged with the duty of regulating supervising and controlling the trade in narcotic drugs and marijuana under the several applicable federal law. That was George Bell district supervisor of the Bureau of Narcotics in the Midwestern United States the United States was obligated to establish such an agency by virtue of Article 15 of the narcotic limitations convention of 1931. The term narcotic drug being the substance subject to this control includes opium and the various derivatives there are of such as morphine heroin. I saw an epic Aine which is Demerol and other drugs found by the secretary of treasury to have addictive qualities similar to those of morphine or cocaine and so proclaimed by the president.

Mr Belke was recorded as he spoke to a special narcotic short course for police officers in the fall of one thousand fifty nine at the University of Illinois Urbana Illinois three principle federal statute control narcotic drugs and marijuana. These are the narcotic drugs Import and Export Act. The Harrison narcotic law as amended which is now incorporated into the Internal Revenue Code and the marijuana tax act also incorporated into the Internal Revenue Code narcotic drugs important export Act authorizes importation of such quantities only of crude opium and coca leaves as the Commission on narcotic shelf to be necessary to provide full medical and legitimate needs. This Act provides that the unexplained

possession of any narcotic drugs shall be presumptive evidence of an offense. Stands to reason sense. Heroin is or is a contraband that possession of it. The is presumptive that it was obtained illegally. The burden of proof is upon the individual to prove how he came into possession legally which in this country is impossible. The Act provides that expertise in manufacture drugs and preparations is permitted under a rigid system of controls designed to assure they are used for medical needs in the country of destination. Often times physicians will call our office making trips abroad. Maybe a hunting trip to Canada.

The last position that called the office happened and happened to be accompanying the Metropolitan Opera Company over to Europe and asked advice about taking drugs with him out of the country which of course is not permissible. The second law that is enforced by the federal narcotics bureau is the Harrison narcotic Act as amended this act was originally passed in 1914 the Act provides the machinery through which the bureau is able to exercise control over the distribution of narcotic drugs within the country. Registration and payment of a graduated occupational tax by all persons who import manufacture produce compounds sell Delian dispense or give away narcotic drugs is required.

A commodity tax at the rate of one cent per ounce or fraction thereof is imposed upon narcotic drugs produced in or imported into the United States and sold or removed for consumption or sale. Now you must realize the scope of that particular act not only. Does that act establish the control over those legitimately in the narcotic business but it also imposes the criminal aspect. For instance there is approximately 300000 person firms involved in the illicit narcotics trade in the United States. Your site includes your physician your veterinarian drug stores

wholesalers manufacturers and so on 300000 people dealing in narcotics for the community. The importer the manufacturer subsequently your wholesaler your drug stores your doctors and ultimately to the patient. All narcotics and then action with this group of people is controlled by this rigid system of control. For instance one of the largest manufacturers in this district is located in Indianapolis. Chorus of the by products and so forth that they make and in making for instance a batch of morphine tablets there's a certain amount of wastage. They have

to account for all they have to sweep all of their machines we evolve the floor they weigh up this waste and determine that there is no diversion to the illicit chair. And they're held accountable because they cannot import. The crude opium without a permit. They can only import that amount that the commissioner of narcotics designate and he knows by records exactly who imports was and what's expected from it. The marijuana tax act also requires registration and payment of a graduated occupational tax Vaal persons who import manufacture produce compound sell deal and dispense the

prescribed administer or give away marijuana. No commodity tax is imposed on those drug taxes imposed on all transfers of marijuana at the rate of one dollar per ounce or fraction. There is no longer you as a medic. It is you and was him. That's one of its main. During the war the shortage of him from Manila and various other areas where boys and imported for the purpose of making a rope. The government authorized farmers to raise marijuana for the purpose of making him

roll. Of course I had you most of you know you can go ride down any practically any highway or railroad right away and see marijuana grow. The fact still remains. That. Transferring of marijuana. I'm tagged a. Marijuana the enforcement of laws a hard task but in some ways it's a rewarding one. And in the case of the illegal traffic of narcotics the reward is intangible. It's the possible prevention of the creation of new addicts addicts who will learn to crave an illegitimate form of a scape. And it's for this reason that next week you will hear more about narcotics. And on H is for joy. This transcribed program was written by a fanatic and produced by Bill Oberg. This is Ted

Seeley speaking. The preceding program was made available to this day soon by the National Association of educational broadcasters. This is the end E.B. Radio Network.