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It is self-evident that, both with regard to an increase of prices and other restricting measures, the Régie cannot go beyond certain limits in view of the danger of an expanding illicit traffic, to which a vast area like that covered by the islands of the Netherlands Indies is eminently adapted. It is true, that with the aid of the police and customhouse officers a forcible action is taken against this traffic. while, moreover, high premiums are offered, but, if the price of opium is fixed too high and if other obstacles are put in the way of the buyer, the profits attached to smuggling are so large that even the most scrupulous supervision would not be able to put a check upon this traffic.
It should also be borne in mind that enhanced prices might give rise to an economic exhaustion of that part of the population which cannot possibly dispense with opium.
§ IX. Furthermore, the following steps were taken in the course of years to restrict the consumption of opium as far as possible.
At public festivities no opium may be distributed or offered as a prize.
No opium is sold to persons under 18.
Without a medical prescription Europeans are not allowed to possess opium. On the issue of this prohibition in 1911, an exception was made for such as were then accustomed to take opium. A non- transferable licence was issued to them. At the close of 1921 9 Europ- eans were still in the possession of such a licence.
The use of opium is wholly forbidden to the native crew of the navy and to native soldiers.
The number of opium selling shops is constantly being diminished (it was 1480 at the end of 1914, and 1274 at the end of the year 1921), while also the number of hours when the selling shops are open to the public, is more and more being reduced. These measures are great handicaps for the acquisition of opium.
For the same purpose the number of divans is restricted. In 1914 this number was still 160, at the end of 1921 no more than 72 were left, the bulk of which was located in the large seaport towns.
The Government promotes the publication of pamphlets written il the native languages, in which the detrimental influence of the use of opium is clearly pointed out and has, moreover, articles of like tendency inserted in school-books.
The Government has announced that, if one should succeed in finding an anti-opium remedy containing no morphine or other sub stances injurious to health, it would be prepared to make this remedy publicly known and to see that it be sold at cost price.
As a rule, opium-using labourers are not admitted to the Govern- ment undertakings. Where, as with the tin workings in the island of Banka, the entire prohibition of the use of opium would be a danger to the undertaking, the Government has earnestly endeavoured, by adopting effective measures, to arrive at the ultimate extinction of the evil. Workmen newly engaged by this important concern, which almost exclusively employs Chinese workers, are forbidden to use opium. Only such as were active with the undertaking before the year 1917, and then already indulged in the opium habit, are allowed to continue, subject to severe restriction.
§ X. The provisions of the Opium-Régie, which allow the import- ation and sale on the part of Government only and prohibit any export, naturally admit of an exception with regard to opium for medical purposes.
The regulations concerning this matter, equally hold good for opium, morphine, cocaine and all kindred drugs. The importation, manufacture and sale of drugs are allowed to no other persons than to such as are authorized thereto, under due guaranties '); the possession of drugs is not permitted to others without a medical prescription, and is subject to many restrictions.
The provisions laid down for exportation, which in practice does not exist, have since 1911 prevented possible consignments to coun- tries closed to any imports. The import-certificate system of the League of Nations, adopted by the Netherlands Indies, in no way alters the actual situation.
§ XI. Holland was represented on the International Opium Com- mission at Shanghai in 1909 and in the International Opium Confer- ence held at the Hague in 1911 and 1912. The International Opium Treaty of 23rd January was signed by the Netherlands, also in behalf of her oversea possessions. The treaty was ratified on 28th July 1914. As may be gathered from the foregoing sections, the opium policy in the Netherlands Indies is founded on the principles adopted inter- nationally.
Duly authorized persons are:
a pharmaceutical chemists;
b. toedicat men, qualified to keep a dispensary;
* veterinary surgeons at places where there is no dispensary, or where no dispensary was established at the time of their settling down.
To medical men who have no dispensary, veterinary surgeons at places where a dispens- ry is established, qualified dental surgeons and directors of private infirmaries which, in The opinion of the Director of the Civil Medical Service are entitled thereto, the possession allowed, inasmuch as this is necessary to enable them personally to administer of to Apply the narcotics.
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