Comments on
NARCOTIC DRUGS
Interim report of the Joint Committee
of the American Bar Association
and the American Medical Association on Narcotic
Drugs
by Advisory Committee to the Federal Bureau of
Narcotics
JULY 3, 1958.
Note: To fully understand this document, and the context in which it
arose, you should also read these other documents which are in the Schaffer
Online library:
Memorandum for the Advisory Committee
When one examines the composition of the joint committee of the American Bar
Association and the American Medical Association, one finds that the members
are, almost without exception, individuals who had identified themselves with
one panacea. These single minded individuals then emerged under what appeared to
be the sponsorship of the ABA and the AMA. The public is conditioned to expect
that ABA and AMB committees are oriented toward impartial deliberation, rather
than propaganda. In this instance it would appear that the conclusions of the
committee were determined by the composition of its membership, and for all
practical purposes, their conclusions preceded the formation of the committee.
This should be called to the attention of whosoever may be interested in the
report.
The issue crystallized by the committee tends to obscure many important areas
for research in the field of narcotics addiction.
H. J. ANSLINGER,
Commissioner of Narcotics.
RESUME OF CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN HONORABLE MORRIS PLOSCOWE AND
COMMISSIONER ANSLINGER
February 24, 1958.
Commissioner HARRY J. ANSLINGER,
Bureau of Narcotics, Treasury Department
Washington 25, D. C.
Dear Comissioner Anslinger:
Our Committee has carried its assignment forward to the point where we now
have the enclosed interim report with the appendices. I take pleasure in
providing you with this material for your information and also so that we may
have your comments and suggestions.
The Committee feels it would be very helpful to sit down with you at your
convenience in order to discuss the enclosed materials. I would appreciate your
letting me have 3 or 4 alternate dates for such a meeting. It is as you know
difficult to arrange a date and time which will be agreeable to everybody.
I look forward to hearing from you soon and also look forward to a discussion
of narcotics problems with you.
Sincerely yours,
Morris Ploscowe,
Director Narcotic Drugs Control Study, Russell Sage Foundation, in
cooperation with, the Joint Committee of the American Bar Association and the
American. Medical Association, on Narcotic Drugs.
MEMBERS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE
American Bar Association.
Edward J. Dimock, judge, United States District Court
Abe Fortas, Esq., Arnold, Fortes and Porter
Rufus King, Esq., American Bar Association
American. Medical Association.
R. H. Felix, M. D., National Institute of Mental Health
Isaac Starr, M. D., University of Pennsylvania
Joseph Stetler, Esq., American Medical Association
March 4, 1958.
Hon. Morris Ploscowe,
Director, Narcotic Drugs Control Study, Russell Sage Foundation,
505 Park Ave., New Pork 22, N. Y.
Dear Judge Ploscowe:
For your kindness in sending me, with your letter of February 24, the interim
report of the Joint Committee of the American Bar association and the American
Medical Association on Narcotic Drugs and asking for my comments and suggestions
I am grateful. As for my comment, after reading this report I find it incredible
that so many glaring inaccuracies, manifest inconsistencies, apparent
ambiguities, important omissions, and even false statements could be found in
one report on the narcotic problem.
My suggestion is that the person (unquestionably prejudiced) who prepared
this report should sit down with our people to make necessary corrections. We do
not wish to censor the report. Our concern is to have you submit for
consideration a factual document, regardless of policy, whether it be narcotic
law enforcement, clinics, the British System, hospitalization, or penal
provisions.
It would then be possible for those who are to recommend appropriate action
to have the facts at their disposal.
Sincerely yours,
H. J. Anslinger,
Commissioner of Narcotics.
On March 6, Mr. Ploscowe asked for a bill of particulars.
On March 17, I informed him that we were appointing an advisory committee
composed of distinguished experts in the field of narcotics.
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES--NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
Division of Medical Sciences
COMMITTEE ON DRUG ADDICTION AND NARCOTICS
At the 14th meeting of this committee, held October 1-2, 1954, the following
resolution was unanimously approved:
The committee disapproves a policy of legalization of administration of
narcotics to addicts by established clinics or suitably designated physicians
because:
1. It is impossible to maintain addicts on a uniform level of dosage;
2. ambulatory treatment of addiction is impossible and has been so judged by
the American Medical Association and other informed groups;
3. The clinics would facilitate the production of new addicts by increasing
drug availability; and
4. The policy is contrary to international conventions and national
legislation.
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